Social Media Body Image Analysis

Words: 543
Pages: 3

Simmons, R. (2016, August 19). How Social Media Is a Toxic Mirror. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from http://time.com/4459153/social-media-body-image/

This article written by Rachel Simmons explores the different platforms by which the ‘thin’ ideal is enforced and displayed in conjunction with its influence on body image. At rapid speed, social media is becoming more available in a variety of ways and to a variety of different people. Meaning body image is a growing concern amongst society. Social media has become a toxic mirror. A study has shown that a psychologist linked social media use to body image concerns, dieting, body surveillance, a drive for thinness and self-objectification in adolescents. Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat provide a platform where teens can post image in order to earn approval for their appearance and compare themselves
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People are more recently linking their self-worth to their looks due to the number of likes, comments and shares they get on images posted. Whilst girls more open to talk about their body dissatisfaction, males are just as equally damaged by social media but are more hesitant to talk about it. Teens now have the ability to airbrush their face, cover up pimples and whiten teeth thus therefore emphasising the ability to fabricate images. One woman once said “I don’t get to choose how I’m going to leave my apartment today but if I could my body would look different. However, I can choose which pictures make my arms look thinner.” This implies the idea whilst we know our body may not be up to the standards in comparison to other images posted online, we still chose to post photos that are similar to those standards even if we don’t look like that in person. What adolescents share online is dwarfed by what they consume; teens spend hours fixating on the toned arms and glutes of celebrities. Millions of people online drive for ‘wellness’ and ‘clean eating’ has become stealthy cover