Psychology Today: Social Media Is Tanking People's Body Image
“Your social media may be baiting you to watch content that can exacerbate body dissatisfaction. That’s according to a new review by Harriger and colleagues in the Body Image journal (published early online, 2022, April 1). Body dissatisfaction contributes to various problems, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating and body image struggles, eating disorders, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.”
“Think about your favorite social networking platforms. There are probably places that suggest videos, news, accounts, etc., you might like. Of course, any user could think that those suggestions are based purely on their interests. But in reality, many factors can influence what appears on feeds and pages.”
“...Common social media algorithms funnel people online to “personalized content that is often more extreme, less monitored, and designed to keep users engaged for longer periods of time. Algorithms are basically programmed instructions, and those instructions are typically unknown to a social media user.”
Read the full article here.
#SocialMedia #SelfEsteem #BodyImage
My personal thoughts:
There have been many times where I have been grateful that I chose to disengage from most social media several years ago, and this article highlighted some of the reasons why. As a whole though, I never *got* social media, and even when I tried to use it, it felt forced to me and my personality. However, I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the good that I have seen social media do. Social media platforms have literally changed our lives and are a hallmark of the digital age that we live in.
From the article though, the thing that stood out to be the most was reading that social media algorithms are designed to keep people engaged for long periods of time. I remember reading once, in another article, that the refresh action on some social media platforms (of pulling from the top down on one’s mobile device) was designed to simulate pulling the handle of a slot machine.
Anyway, I feel like it does go without saying that we are bombarded with hordes of content and stimuli on a daily basis, especially with social media. And I feel it becomes truly personal when the effects of social media start to harm our body image. Because speaking from experience, how I see (and feel about) myself has a direct correlation to my mood–every single day.
And as a question for you all: What are some steps that you have taken to minimize the possible negative effects of social media in your lives?
@sereneSunset26
I'm not on social media a lot. I think its strange. It's not talking or socializing with real people. There is nothing better than real in person interaction. I have pretty good self esteem so I usually don't fall victim to the social media 'how you look' trap. Even with super thin women in magazines and other media I never really fell for that because I know it is not healthy and not real. People are air brushed and made to look perfect when they are not. The most important thing is I limit my time on social media and I like myself. I like the way I look for the most part.
@affectionateCat9553
I've unfollowed all the celebrities and people that make me insecure. I used to be fixed on my weight because of media at a young age , my social worker told me to delete everyone that makes me insecure. The reality is that many celebrities edit or pose a certain way to make themselves look better.
@affectionateCat9553
I'm not on social media a lot. I think its strange. It's not talking or socializing with real people. There is nothing better than real in person interaction. I have pretty good self esteem so I usually don't fall victim to the social media 'how you look' trap. Even with super thin women in magazines and other media I never really fell for that because I know it is not healthy and not real. People are air brushed and made to look perfect when they are not. The most important thing is I limit my time on social media and I like myself. I like the way I look for the most part.
The bolded part there of what you said puts into words perfectly why I never was able to truly understand or attach to social media. So in that aspect, I feel the word "social" is a bit of a misnomer. And I do understand the sociality of it in terms of connecting people in a digital context, but I think it takes more work to create that in-person interaction.
i don't struggle with body dissatisfaction as much as i struggle with not meeting beauty standards that social media/people promote. for some reason the kardashians and jenners flood my instagram "explore" page. i don't even follow them and don't want to see their faces on a regular basis, particularly one of them makes me feel so incredibly bad about myself because her face seems perfect. i know she's had plastic surgery on her face to look like that, but the more i see it on social media the more i think it's normal and it becomes more difficult to talk myself out of it, if that makes any sense. so i particularly struggle with women who have "perfect" faces, noses, etc. i also struggle with seeing these *extremely* wealthy people, because i'm poor and disabled due to mental illness, so extreme wealth just makes me angry when there are so many poor people suffering in the world.
i try to limit my social media use but it's not easy. on one place i log off and only log on at night. i probably should do that for all other social media i dunno. i get so used to it it feels weird to actually log off, so i guess that's a sign right there. on social media i only follow accounts that uplift me not bring me down, but yeah i wish the "explore" page on IG was something i can edit so i don't have to see certain things.
i agree social media has done good but it's also very toxic. for example, imagine if every image on social media came with a warning label of "this image has been doctored, altered, filtered, or the person has had x, y, z plastic surgery." that would be transparent and expose a ton of things and be better for mental health because it would tell us - this image is not a real image, so to speak. but we don't get these reminders.
@fearlessWriter78
Thank you for sharing your experiences and being so candid overall. <3
I especially like what you last said about potential warning labels going with some images on social media; I feel like there has to be accountability for the powers that be that know that they're messing with peoples' heads.
I get that we need to have self-control over what we consume, but social media is also so ubiquitous at this point, that I hope some official regulations will come into play to protect its users' mental health.
@sereneSunset26 yes "ubiquitous" is the right word to describe it. i would also add it can have a mind of its own as far as what content it presents to you if you decide to "explore" the app. and it may be a bunch of stuff that isn't healthy for you based on its algorithm or whatever. just nonsense really...
@fearlessWriter78
Yeah, even on YouTube, I've noticed its algorithm spit out...interesting...suggestions to me that really haven't been at all my own personal speed, so to speak. All of this kind of makes me personally get back to mindfulness. Which is helpful on its own and in itself, but especially with social media.
@sereneSunset26
I rarely even look at any social media platforms 😊 some, I’ve actually deleted most of them, so even more less of a worry for me.
@emotionalTalker2260
I definitely feel you there with those decisions that you have made. Aside from being able to worry less, in what other areas of your life have you noticed benefits from detaching from social media?
@sereneSunset26
I’m not getting triggered by potentially triggering things 😊
@emotionalTalker2260
Not getting triggered is definitely ideal. :)
I've deleted them all, save a few, and I spend NO time on any of them! Getting it out of my life has been great!
@dovahAcolyte
I certainly can understand that; out of curiosity, what kinds of things have you done instead with your free time that used to be spent on social media? :)
@sereneSunset26
More time with my dog, reading, drawing, watching shows I like, gaming, mediation, journaling. I've never been a big user to begin with, but ditching it completely after leaving my ex was a smart move! I have more time to figure out me!
I am older so dont see much social media except on other people's phones and I'm really disturbed by how hypersexualized and objectified the women are presented. If I grew up with what young girls grow up with today, I'd have severe problems.
Add pornography to what girls are dealing with. I remember when sex was normal and exciting. But now even the old guys are stuck on it and can't perform because they are used to the videos.
I would just really hate to come of age as a female in this culture. It is toxic and traumatizing. My heart is with the young girls.
@Peanut81
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'm a little older myself, and while I may not be female, I have friends who are and who are also the right age to have pretty much grown up with social media. By contrast, I had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood.
Anyway, they have expressed some of the very same things you have said. Hyper-sexualization and objectification does seem to be rampant these days on some social media platforms. And like you also said, pornography has been a factor for a very long time as well.
I feel like our lives are challenging enough sometimes just being in our own heads. And then on top of that, you add this type of external stimuli, and it just makes it that much more challenging to stay grounded to ourselves.
@sereneSunset26
I mostly just stay away from social media. Sure, I have a facebook account, but when I go there, I just scroll for a few minutes, maybe look at an article posted by one of the local tv stations, but that's all.
@bmobile40
I hear that; it sounds like you know how to manage as well as prioritize your time when and where you want to--this is a really useful skill as I'm sure you're aware. :)
@sereneSunset26 Social media can be so difficult to have sometimes because there are so many negative aspects of it. Everything we see is usually not realistic and everyone always shows only their good parts of life. Making sure to take time away from social media and to actually socialize in real time is important. There is nothing like quality time in person with friends and family. Reflecting on the aspects of social media is important too. Not everyone looks the way they portray themselves on the Internet. It's important to sometimes separate yourself from the Internet and get out into the real world.
@fruityPond7887
Social media can be so difficult to have sometimes because there are so many negative aspects of it. Everything we see is usually not realistic and everyone always shows only their good parts of life. Making sure to take time away from social media and to actually socialize in real time is important. There is nothing like quality time in person with friends and family. Reflecting on the aspects of social media is important too. Not everyone looks the way they portray themselves on the Internet. It's important to sometimes separate yourself from the Internet and get out into the real world.
I agree with all of this, especially the bolded part above. Comparison is such a thief of happiness; couple that with real life *not* being comprised of only good things and yeah, it can and has certainly spiraled for a lot of people.
I remember receiving advice from a couple of my best friends who counseled me that I needed social media to up my dating game. In their paraphrased words, I needed to present a carefully manicured (in the figurative sense) profile of myself in order to maximize my social attractiveness. Anyway, I tried to heed their advice, but could never get myself to consistently use a facebook or insta 😂.
@sereneSunset26 Lol I understand their perspective, but don't change yourself so much that you aren't portraying your real self to the dating world! Post some nice pictures of yourself and talk about some hobbies you have, but don't change for the Internet! Your person will come!😊
@fruityPond7887
Thank you for the advice, it's good to know that I/we can still be true to ourselves *and* be on social media at the same time. Maybe I'll give it another shot. :)
@sereneSunset26 Oh yeah! Don't let society change who you are at all!! You are exactly who you're meant to be and the world deserves to see the real you!
@fruityPond7887
Thank you so much for your positive personal encouragement!! :)
@sereneSunset26 Social media can be our greatest friend or our worst enemy depending on how we use it. I usually monitor the content I wish to see on my social media. That way I won't be exposed to things that could potentially ruin my day.
Thank you for sharing this very interesting article!
@comfortableNight4463
Social media can be our greatest friend or our worst enemy depending on how we use it.
I really like what you said here; maybe one day I'll hop back on social media on more friendly terms. :)
@sereneSunset26 Thank you! Social media can be great once in a while but it's important to monitor how much of it you consume.
@comfortableNight4463
This is a really good point, almost like it's a good thing to have a balance with everything in life. :)
@sereneSunset26 Exactly. Moderation is key!
@sereneSunset26 First, I think for myself. If I look fat in a picture, then I'm gonna send it to everyone I know! Maybe put one of those photo borders that makes no sense...like a fat pic of me in July I'll send out with a 'Merry Christmas' border, make me look like a reindeer. Second, it really is what's inside that counts. I don't wear make up, have frizzy hair so I don't comb it, haven't shaved my legs in forever, but I know I'm not any less of a woman. I admire people's strength or independence. When you see the good in people. Their beauty radiates
@enthusiasticTortoise6681
First, I think for myself. If I look fat in a picture, then I'm gonna send it to everyone I know! Maybe put one of those photo borders that makes no sense...like a fat pic of me in July I'll send out with a 'Merry Christmas' border, make me look like a reindeer. Second, it really is what's inside that counts. I don't wear make up, have frizzy hair so I don't comb it, haven't shaved my legs in forever, but I know I'm not any less of a woman. I admire people's strength or independence. When you see the good in people. Their beauty radiates.
It sounds like you are really know yourself and your value. And I definitely agree with you on that people's beauty certainly can radiate--really can't put a price on personality. :)
@sereneSunset26 You're very welcome! It's all true and you're great just the way you are!
@fruityPond7887
Congratulations for making me think of this song!!
