Social Media and Its Effects On Body Image

Not many of us can remember a life without social media. It has come into our lives and has defined how we live, love, learn, and relate. Used as a form of self-expression, social media has helped in shaping our individuality and self-expression. Social media is used for so many things such as advertising, news, entertainment, connection, and learning. It has become the lifeblood of our society.

Whether social media is good or bad for us is a discussion that will forever go on until something else new comes along, if ever. These interactive technologies have enabled us to know our world a lot more and made everything seem close and attainable.

One area that has caught the attention of a lot of people is how social media affects how we view ourselves. Previously, all we had to do was measure ourselves to our immediate community standards. Now we are living in a time where we are comparing ourselves to a much wider audience. The question then becomes, how does social media affect body image?

Body image can be defined as the way we view our appearance, and how satisfied we are with how we look. A person can have a positive body image or a negative body image. This can be informed by many different factors, one of which is social media.

God made each one of us different, in how we look, what we choose to wear, and how we move in this world. This is called diversity. However, just like the magazines before it, social media is now the go-to place for information on beauty, fitness, wellness, and fashion.

The unfortunate result of having so much access is that some people can suffer from unhealthy and unrealistic comparisons. Social media lacks the celebration and appreciation of different body types, skin tones, and fashion choices, hence everyone is striving to look the same, which is impossible.

Social media, body image, and gender

It might seem like women are the only ones under pressure to look a certain way, but men also face the same pressure. Though not talked about much in open spaces, the struggles still exist for them as well. From fitness videos to weightlifting challenges to bodybuilding, men have experienced pressure relating to how they look. Just like women, they too have been sold the image of what body is considered beautiful, handsome, or healthy.

Social Media’s effect on body image is important for both genders because it can harm our well-being. By constantly comparing ourselves to others, we are constantly looking for things to be dissatisfied about. Nothing good ever comes from comparison. Our value, worth, and identity are threatened by what we see and the messaging we are constantly being fed.

Negative effects of social media on body image

If having easy access to a world of images and information causes a person to have a negative self-concept and be dissatisfied with their bodies, it can damage one’s well-being. This is due to several reasons, below are some examples:

Low self-esteem

When we do not like the way we look, our self-esteem suffers. We feel will always feel less than others because we do not look a certain way.

Lack of confidence

With low self-esteem comes a lack of confidence which can greatly affect relationships, work, and our standing in society.

Mental health issues

Being mentally well requires us to have a positive outlook on life and a positive regard for ourselves. When we are unsatisfied with what our body looks like we can suffer from anxiety and depression.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are common in situations where we are not happy with our bodies. To look a certain way, sometimes people will form an unhealthy relationship with food.

Threat to physical health

To achieve a certain look, some people will do unhealthy things to their bodies that will result in a threat to their physical health. This can be through taking steroids, starving themselves, or being obsessed with exercising beyond what is healthy.

Social media is not all bad

The joy of using social media is that we can curate what content we consume, whom we follow, and where we get inspiration. We are not robots that are just being swayed by each trend or wave. The ability to choose is empowering. We don’t know all there is to know about beauty, health, and fitness. Social Media gives us platforms to learn and find encouragement from experts and those walking the same journey.

Apart from getting insight and helpful information, others have also found community in sharing their struggles and knowing that they are not alone. These communities are safe spaces where people are not shamed or discriminated against for how they look. They can ask for help or tips without feeling less than others.

Social Media has also brought the rise of body-positive content. This is content aimed at showcasing different body types, celebrating those body types, and giving rise to representation. It is empowering and encouraging when you experience content that is not altered to look a certain way, content that is realistic and affirming.

This is not to say that people should not work on their fitness or health. We all should seek a realistic version of health for our lives. Body-positive content aims to remove the shame associated with looking different from what society has deemed acceptable. Any changes and fitness goals you have should be driven by a sense of ownership of one’s health and not shame. It is possible to love oneself and still want to improve.

Safeguarding against the negative effects

As mentioned above, not all social media is bad. There are ways it can be used to our advantage, especially in the areas of body image, self-esteem, and confidence. Below are some ways to ensure that you get the best out of social media.

Curate content

It is empowering to know that we can curate our content. We can pick and choose whom to like, whom to follow, and whom to learn from. You can have social media boundaries and protect yourself from harmful content.

Take breaks

Social media can be all-consuming if we are not careful. Knowing and exercising the right to take breaks from it can also help in living your life away from the screen and being bombarded by content that can make you have body image issues.

Be honest about your feelings

Being honest about how certain content makes you feel is important for your safety. If you find your view of yourself being diminished by certain social media pages, take note and take action to change things. You can unfollow accounts that leave you feeling less than, not good enough, or like envious.

Build community

Community is how we heal and how we grow. You can build a community online with like-minded and encouraging individuals. This can be helpful if there is a health goal you want to attain or learn something about beauty in a safe space. Choose the people you connect with and be intentional about fostering an authentic relationship.

We are here to help

Unhealthy comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards can be damaging to our mental health. Unfortunately, social media fuels a lot of comparisons that can cause harm. If you find yourself not knowing how to navigate social media healthily, we are here to help.

We can also help in situations where social media has contributed to you having a negative body image. You do not need to suffer and struggle through your days feeling inadequate when it comes to your body image. We have counselors who will guide you in the process of untangling yourself from social media and equip you with tools to manage it correctly.

Contact our office at San Diego Christian Counseling to connect with a Christian counselor in San Diego who can help you discover how to use social media in a healthy way for you.