The Use of Social Media encourages Unhealthy Body Image.
Globally, there have several campaigns and hashtags that enhance advocacy that encourages self-love at any size. However, it has been noted that although social media has positive impacts on the individual, it may create a sense of community that makes addressing body issues challenging. In contemporary society, body image is critical aspect since the way individuals see themselves influences every aspect of their life, including their mental and physical health, and the way they relate with others. An individual with a healthy body image has an undistorted view of their body as well as appearance. Several young people, especially young women, are more concerned with body image, which has led to severe negative consequences. The essay herein provides an argument on whether social media encourages unhealthy body image
Firstly, research studies suggest that women who view idealized appearance-focused content, are characterized by poor body image. Following accounts of celebrities who post glamorous bikini shots causes women to be more preoccupied will their appearance. Consequently, they become dissatisfied with their bodies. The dissatisfaction makes several women engage in unhealthy dieting and exercise strategies to achieve “the Ideal” body appearance they see on social media.
Secondly, the use of social has been associated with the current trends of cosmetic surgery as an individual are trying to present to the best of them on social media. This is because social media has provided its users with an opportunity to alter their true body image, which they perceive it is not worth. Unfortunately, such efforts have made several individuals base their self-worth as contingent upon their appearance. There are also diverse applications such as Face Tune that enables people to soften wrinkles or alter their facial feature to enhance their appearance. This has an impact on cosmetic surgery. For instance, in 2017, a survey of facial surgery noted that several patients requested to improve their appearance through selfies. As a result, a trend called “Snapchat Dysmorphia” has emerged. This term refers to a psychological phenomenon where patients brings filtered photos to their surgeon to illustrate their preferred operational changes they want to achieve through cosmetic surgery. The nature of such applications has made many individuals focus more on physical appearance. Based on social theory, people learn beauty standards through social contexts. Therefore, individual may tend to judge their appearance based on the standards set by society. This has imposed adverse effects on the self-worth of people as they become dissatisfied with their actual physical identity. Comparing oneself to others tends to have adverse effects on self -esteem.
Moreover, when an individual is not satisfied with her/his appearance based on the perceived appearance stands, they begin to isolate themselves from others. This is because they develop negative feelings regarding their body appearance. Research studies have shown that body dissatisfaction is hugely linked with social media and its pervasive impacts. Unlike the traditional social media platform, social networking sites are peer generated, which implies that the user is simultaneously providers and receivers of information. A platform such as Facebook allows adolescents and young people to get the approval of their appearance. They are also able to compare themselves to others. The vulnerable people are those who spent most of their time posting and comparing themselves to photos. Sharing of photos through social media has led to a phenomenon where people treat themselves as objects to viewed and evaluated based on appearance.
However, apart from the negative implication of social media, to some extent, has helped build a positive body image. Currently, there is a trend on social media called body positivity. This trend aims to challenge some narrow beauty ideal among women. It helps women accept and appreciate their bodies in all sizes and shapes. Body positivity on social media post their real bodies and are proud to elaborate on what their bodies can do and not just its appearance. Unfortunately, the adverse effects of everyday use regarding body image outweigh the benefits. Therefore, the stand of this argument remains that, social media use encourages unhealthy body image.
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