Unfortunately, even comments that have the intention of being complementary, have just as much potential to perpetuate harmful ideals when reinforcing the “attractiveness” of an airbrushed or filtered image or when the message is steeped in diet-culture based ideology. Rates of cyberbullying-the use of electronic communication to bully or threaten another person-have increased alongside the use of social media, with one common form of such bullying being through “body shaming” (i.e., making critical or negative comments about the size, shape, or general appearance of someone else’s body). A core component of most social media use is the ability to “like” or “comment” on another person’s posts, providing an open door for others to comment on an individual’s appearance. Social media use also increases the risk of exposure to potentially harmful commentary about bodies or food/exercise choices. Research suggests that frequently taking and posting “selfies” is associated with decreased mood and increased anxiety, and that these negative impacts to one’s mental health remain even when the ability to edit or filter the picture is removed or when tracking the number of “likes” a post receives is absent.Ĭyberbullying and external body-related commentary The high rate of taking and posting images of oneself on social media has also increased the rate people are viewing images of themselves in recent years. The high likelihood that most of these photos have been highly edited, filtered or posed to generate a false view of “perfection” does not appear to stop the human mind from comparing, which can have a negative impact on one’s self-esteem and body image. Increased comparison and focus on appearanceĬontinuous exposure to the pictures and commentary on different social media sites can quickly lead one to compare their own body or lifestyle choices to what they see depicted on the profiles they follow. Just the inclusion of these filters can increase an individual's shame and discomfort with their natural appearance, and consistently viewing filtered images can lead to a false perception of what one’s body or lifestyle can or “should” look like. Social media platforms are no different, and often even include built in filters to help “polish or perfect” one’s appearance in photos to make them look more like these ideals. today are flooded with images and messages about what body types are considered “ideal” or most attractive. Understanding how social media can negatively impact an individual’s relationship with food and body image can be a helpful starting point to ensure you or your family members avoid using social media in harmful ways. Research consistently finds that higher levels of engagement with/exposure to image-related social media content are associated with higher levels of body image dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. These risks are especially notable when it comes to body image and disordered eating. Many people now also use social media to network and build relationships with individuals possessing a broad range of skills and knowledge, increasing opportunities for innovative new work directions.Īlthough these benefits exist, frequent social media use also poses several risks to an individual’s mental health depending on how and when it’s used. For example, it’s now easier than ever to connect people and groups with diverse backgrounds, increasing our knowledge, understanding and awareness of different communities. The increased use and access to social media certainly comes with potential benefits. And whether it’s time spent creating content and sharing ideas, staying in touch with family and friends, or simply to be entertained by the latest viral trend, many of us spend two or more hours a day engaging with social media content. In the United States, over 72% of the total population reported having at least one social media account, and the majority reported having active accounts on more than one platform. Scrolling through social media has become a common pastime for people of all ages. This post was written by Jennifer Barney, psychology resident, outpatient therapist, Eating Disorder Program, Parkview Behavioral Health Institute.
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