The Role Social Media Plays On Body Image And Mental Health

A complex relationship exists between social media and one's body image. Social media platforms have become an inseparable part of life for some people, especially young people and teens. These platforms can offer an outlet for connection, self-expression, and discovery. However, constant exposure to these platforms could also be a source of body dissatisfaction and negative effects on mental health.

Every day, social media users are inundated with carefully curated images that often depict unrealistic body ideals or edited images. These portrayals can lead to negative body image, where individuals believe their body type, size, or appearance falls short of societal or media standards. This dynamic can create a harmful cycle where users compare their bodies to those they see online, worsening these issues, impacting self-esteem, and potentially causing eating disorders. To learn more, it may be helpful to explore how social media affects body image, how this topic is related to mental health, and how you can lessen these impacts.

The impact of negative body image on mental health

Negative body image is closely tied to mental health, influencing and being influenced by various psychological factors. Body dissatisfaction can lead to severe emotional distress, contributing to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This symptom can also be a significant risk factor in the development of eating disorders, an extreme manifestation of these struggles that can have devastating physical and psychological consequences.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders have been on the rise, and body dissatisfaction is a significant risk factor. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder can all be exacerbated or incited by poor body image. In addition, the lesser-known but increasingly prevalent muscle dysmorphia (an obsession with not being sufficiently muscular) reflects the growing pressure on men and other genders to meet a particular body ideal.

In some cases, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may be more susceptible to body image issues. For instance, people with depression or anxiety might negatively perceive their body weight or shape, further compounding their distress. Understanding how your personal experiences and mental health shape your relationship with your body can be important when navigating social media.

The connection between social media and body image

The majority of teens in the United States have used social media platforms, according to research published by the Pew Research Center. Concerns about body image are no longer confined to specific age groups or genders, affecting everyone from teenage girls to teenage boys and even those at a very young age. Children as young as seven report dissatisfaction with their bodies, while older adults express concerns about age-related changes in appearance. Men, often overlooked in these discussions, may increasingly experience the pressure to conform to idealized body standards. The dissatisfaction stemming from these concerns may potentially lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, eating disorders or other serious mental health issues.

The advent of social media and selfie culture has placed body image at the forefront of everyday interactions, especially for young adults. In addition, the digital age has increased the focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance, with some plastic surgeons and celebrities often worsening concerns about body size and form. The ability to use photo editing tools to fit unrealistic beauty standards, coupled with the culture of comparison that social media encourages, has created an environment conducive to body dissatisfaction.

A recent research article published in Frontiers in Psychology explored how social media, specifically the photos we see, affects our body image. In this study, participants, including both women and men, were divided into two groups: the experimental group viewed Instagram images promoting traditional beauty ideals, while the control group was exposed to images celebrating body diversity. The study found that people tend to compare themselves to the images they see, affecting how they view their own images of their bodies. This exercise in understanding body image shows that the content consumed on social media can significantly influence how individuals compare themselves to others.

The rise of having a positive body image

While there may be negative effects, social media has also had a positive impact through the rise of body-positive content. Many social media platforms have become hubs for the body positivity movement, which promotes the acceptance of all body types, challenging traditional beauty standards that have often dominated media portrayals. Body-positive content, posted by influencers and everyday users alike, encourages positive self-talk and self-love, helping to improve body satisfaction and overall self-confidence.

Another beneficial aspect of social media is the development of eating disorder recovery communities. These communities represent a wide range of eating disorder presentations and have been proven to facilitate recovery through social validation and support.

Caring for your mental health in the social media era

Social media use has a significant impact on mental health. While social media can negatively affect body image, it’s also a tool for promoting body positivity and acceptance. It can be essential to curate an online environment that reduces the negative effects of social media images on one's body image, supporting mental health and overall well-being. For example, you might follow accounts that represent diverse body types and promote body-positive messages while unfollowing those that cause body dissatisfaction or perpetuate harmful beauty ideals.

Note that many images on social media accounts are often edited or staged, representing only a fraction of reality. Comparing oneself to these portrayals can be a difficult endeavor. Instead, developing self-compassion, focusing on the body’s capabilities rather than its appearance, and seeking professional help can help improve an individual’s relationship with their own body. 

Support for body dissatisfaction problems

If you’re experiencing body image issues due to social media or another cause, you’re not alone. It may be helpful to talk to a therapist about this symptom, as it can be a risk factor for more serious mental health conditions. However, if you face barriers to face-to-face therapy, you can also seek help online through platforms like BetterHelp. 

Mental health support through online therapy

Online therapy offers numerous benefits, particularly when addressing body image disorders and associated mental health concerns, such as eating disorder symptoms. The convenience and availability of digital platforms enable individuals to have professional support from the comfort of their own homes. This option may benefit those who are uncomfortable discussing these issues face-to-face. 

The ability to choose from a broader range of therapists allows individuals to find a provider with specific expertise in body dysmorphia or general mental health concerns. When working through complex mental health challenges, online therapy sessions often include additional resources such as self-paced modules, goal-setting tools, and text-based support, which can enhance the therapy experience.

Research has consistently demonstrated the efficacy of online therapy in treating mental illness. Studies have shown that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can effectively reduce body dissatisfaction and associated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Online interventions can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy for treating eating disorders, a common manifestation of severe body image concerns.