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Gray Anderson
English
Jackson
February 13, 2021

“Craft an essay communicating the effect that social media has on teenager’s body image
and self identity.”

In the modern-day age, we all heavily rely on our technology and may have a slight

obsession with it, including the mindless scrolling through social media. While we may think this

habit is harmless, it has detrimental effects on adolescents and their self-image. It is estimated

that there are 3.6 billion people worldwide who are active users of social media (“Social Users

Worldwide”), and a great deal of them have faced the consequences of the negative feelings

evoked through that. Social media is affecting our society, especially adolescents, negatively,

including causing a negative body image, promoting unrealistic beauty standards, and leading to

increased eating disorders.

While social media has improved many aspects of our lives, it has also exacerbated

some major issues, such as a negative body image. Florida House Experience, a healthcare

institution, conducted a study of 1,000 people and found that 50% of women and 37% of men

compare their bodies unfavorably to those seen on media outlets (“Body Image”). While this

may not seem like a big deal, it is very important. Being dissatisfied with one’s body image has

been linked to increased mental illnesses and eating disorders. In addition to this, some of those

who are affected by this negative self-image are children. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute found that approximately 40% of 9 and 10-year-old girls are already unhappy with

themselves and are attempting to lose weight. Having a negative self-image, especially one
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started before adolescence, is detrimental to human development and personal growth. Users can

help themselves develop a more positive self-image by following body-positive influencers,

practicing self-affirmations, and avoiding negative self-talk.

Another effect that increased social media usage has had on our youth is the promotion

of unrealistic beauty standards. Things like photo editing software and filters are contributing to

young people seeing others and comparing themselves to something that isn’t reality. About two-

thirds of Americans edit their photos before posting (“Filter Effect”). These newer developments

of editing are just adding to the problem of the media’s portrayal of the “ideal” body type. This

body type is not possible for everyone and in reality, is very unrealistic and potentially very

unhealthy. This beauty standard creates a very toxic mindset and has long-lasting consequences

including increased depression, excessive dieting and eating disorders (Greenfield 6).

As mentioned before, one of the worst effects that social media has implemented onto

our society is the increase in eating disorders. A Facebook study found that those who spent more

time on social media platforms were also those who were most vulnerable to eating disorder

behaviors. In addition to users wanting to have the same body type as their favorite influencer,

social media has also been known to romanticize these conditions. In situations like these, the

audience is more than likely consisted of impressionable minds who are very susceptible to

beginning unhealthy behaviors.

In conclusion, in a society already full of unhealthy aspirations and fitness goals, social

media is adding to the problem by promoting unrealistic expectations, increasing eating

disorders, and contributing to negative body image.

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Works Cited

“Does Social Media Drive Eating Disorders?” Therapy Group of NYC, 22 Nov. 2021, https://
nyctherapy.com/therapists-nyc-blog/does-social-media-drive-eating-disorders/ Accessed
March 7, 2022.

Dotted Line Communications. “The Filter Effect: People Distrust Websites Because of
Manipulated Photos.” GlobeNewswire News Room, Dotted Line Communications, 18
May 2017, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/05/18/1312618/0/en/
The-Filter-Effect-People-Distrust-Websites-Because-of-Manipulated-Photos.html.
Accessed March 7, 2022.

“Facebook Users More Prone to Developing Eating Disorders, Study Finds.” ScienceDaily,
ScienceDaily, 7 Feb. 2011, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/
2011/02/110207091754.htm. Accessed March 7, 2022.

“How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers.” Child Mind Institute, 1 Mar. 2022, https://
childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/. Accessed March 7,
2022.

“Link between Social Media & Body Image.” King University Online, https://online.king.edu/
news/social-media-and-body-image/. Accessed March 7, 2022.

“Study Shows Social Media May Play a Role in Eating Disorders among Teens.” Mental Health
First Aid, 25 Feb. 2020, https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2020/02/study-shows-
social-media-may-play-a-role-in-eating-disorders-among-teens/. Accessed March 7, 2022

University Honors Program - University of Nebraska Omaha. https://

digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1028&context=university_honors_program. Accessed March 7, 2022.
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