Social Media and Body Image

When you look at your own social media accounts, what do you see? Your accounts likely feature your accomplishments, adventures, or your “good side.” Even if you’re posting something funny, tragic, or “real,” you put thought into what exactly you want others to see, right?

It’s 100% curated.

What is the long-term impact when everything we see online is carefully chosen to appear a certain way? Read on to learn how social media impacts our self-perception and how we see our bodies.

Social Media and Self-Perception

The instant nature of social media is designed to capture brief moments of lived experience in the moment, but we all know the reality. The images and posts we see nowadays on social media are planned for and carefully selected to present a certain look or feel. 

This can lead to a distorted sense of reality, unrealistic expectations, or a sense of FOMO, underachievement, or unproductivity, of being “less than” for those engaged in social media. Individuals may compare themselves to other people their age who seem to be doing more or better than them in some way. 

Body Modification

We used to only see celebrities modifying their bodies. Arguably, as a culture we were starting to understand that celebrities dedicated their lives to modifying their bodies through rigid dieting, exercise, makeup, photoshop, and cosmetic surgery.

Now, however, with filters, Facetune, photoshop, and other body editing apps, anyone and everyone can fabricate the “perfect look.” There’s a huge disconnect between what we see in photos and what we see in real life, not just for celebrities, but for everyone. 

Simply put, social media apps distort your perception of your own body. In some cases, social media can even contribute to the development of Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder that causes a person to have an inaccurate perception of their body. People with BDD may have an imagined perception about their size, muscle structure, facial features, moles, etc. This disorder causes great anxiety for sufferers, so much that they may take drastic steps to “fix” the imagined problem. This can include extreme dieting, overexercise, and even surgery or self harm. 

Many people with BDD, and even those who don’t have it, use social media for body checking by taking pictures of themselves and also comparing pictures of themselves with pictures of other people who may have a very different body type than their own. This constant comparison fueled by social media can greatly decrease one’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth . . . even if you’re doing amazing things! There’s always someone “better” than you, so you perceive yourself as “less than” others.

Body Checking

Body checking is a habit that involves “checking” parts of the body that worry you. You might do this to “make sure” a perceived flaw, such as a mole, doesn’t get any larger. If you struggle with a fear of weight gain, you might check to make sure you haven’t gained any weight. If you have muscle dysmorphia, you may continue to check your muscles for gains and loss.

Some people stare in the mirror for long stretches of time, and others may feel parts of their body with their hands for features like muscles or bones. Others may weigh themselves constantly. Social media offers another way to body check through selfies, outfit of the day posts, and progress posts.

Related: Do you struggle with body checking behaviors like these? Here’s how to stop obsessing and be more present in your life.

Social Media and Eating Disorders

“Full Day of Eating” and “What I Eat in a Day” videos have been accused of promoting eating disorders. Individuals post videos of themselves eating way less than people need just to survive. They also post “hacks” for weight loss. These include ways to suppress appetite, cut out food groups, and engage in intense overexercise.

Interactions: Likes, Comments, Criticism, and Silence

We’ve discussed what you see on social media. What about the things you hear or read in response to your posts? Social media is inherently social, right? So, what is it that we are seeking in terms of social interaction?

Say people like your progress updates or praise your accomplishments and body in the comments section. How would you react? These interactions, although perceived as being “positive,” can fuel disordered thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. You can also start basing your self-worth on the opinions of others. Although these strangers have no idea what you go through to attain the things they congratulate you on. For many, though, the suffering is worth it, if they get external validation.

On the other hand, what if no one notices you or your progress online? You might go to further extremes, just to be noticed. And if others criticize you or your body online? It may damage your self-esteem and mental health even further.

How to Navigate Social Media and Mental Health

• Limit screen time
• Follow only positive content creators
• Unfollow unhelpful commentators (even if you know them in person)
• Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and that’s all you can ask for
• Seek out help if you are battling an eating disorder, BDD, depression, anxiety, etc.

Remember, what you see on social media is never the whole story. Your social profiles don’t tell your whole story, either.