The Link Between Social Media and Body Image

Whether we’d like to admit it or not, social media plays a significant role in shaping our lives. The images and videos we see online influence the clothes we wear, the movies we watch, and the destinations we travel to. Perhaps most of all, social media contributes to our concept of physical beauty and affects what we think when we look at ourselves in the mirror. 

As a result, social media and body image (the way we perceive our physical appearance) are inextricably linked. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are loaded with photos and videos representing how others want us to think their lives – and their bodies – look. Whether those representations reflect reality, however, is another story. 

Increased access to photo editing tools has made it easy to curate an image of perfection on social media. A 2021 survey by Consumer Reports found that one in five American adults has used a beauty filter before posting a picture or video. Respondents younger than 30 were much more likely to have used beauty filters (47% of those aged 18-29), indicating that the trend is much more common among younger generations. While filters and other editing tools may seem harmless to some, many people believe they have led to an increase in unrealistic beauty standards on social media. 

In fact, 59% of Americans polled in 2021 shared that they found beauty filters troubling. Many respondents cited concerns for the mental health of young people, who may not be able to differentiate between edited and untouched content. How might social media affect body image for teens comparing themselves to edited photos they see online?

Consumer Reports: 59% of Americans polled found beauty filters troubling, and many cited concerns for the mental health of young people 

Regular exposure to images and videos that promote unrealistic beauty standards can have severe negative impacts on mental health. Especially for adolescents who are already undergoing physical changes that impact their self-image, this can lead to serious conditions, including body dysmorphia and eating disorders. 

Does Social Media Cause Body Dysmorphia?

Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive thoughts about the way you look. Often, people experiencing BDD are very focused on one or more flaws they believe they see in their appearance, leading to co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and depression. According to Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of body dysmorphia include: 

• Anxiety that other people are staring at you or judging your appearance 

• Changing your appearance frequently 

• Compulsive grooming behaviors, such as picking at your skin 

• Constantly comparing your appearance to that of other people 

• Feeling shame about your appearance 

• Feeling that you need to constantly look at or check your appearance or avoid photos and mirrors altogether 

• Frequently using photo editing and filters to change your appearance in pictures 

• Repeated medical procedures and/or cosmetic surgery 

• Spending an excessive amount of time thinking about parts of your body you consider to be flawed 

• Thoughts of self-harm because of your appearance 

Research has established strong connections between social media and body dysmorphia. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology revealed that image-based social media platforms were significantly associated with increased symptoms of body dysmorphia among participants ages 16 to 18. Participants’ regular exposure to social media led to body dissatisfaction, harsh self-criticism of their appearance, anxiety, and other concerning behaviors. 

Image-based social media platforms were significantly associated with increased symptoms of body dysmorphia among participants ages 16 to 18.

A further study from the American Psychological Association revealed that spending less time on social media could reduce symptoms of body dysmorphia. In the study, teens and young adults reduced their social media use by 50% in four weeks. By the end of the study, they demonstrated improved confidence in their weight and overall appearance.  

It’s also important to note that comparison to unrealistic beauty standards on social media isn’t the only factor leading to increases in body dysmorphia. The Cleveland Clinic reports that non-stop exposure to your appearance can also result in a distorted concept of self-image focused on perceived flaws. This further adds to the deficit users perceive between their appearance and others they see online. 

If left untreated, body dysmorphia can have lasting consequences for mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing body dysmorphia, it’s important to connect with a mental health professional who can provide support. 

Social Media and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) are mental health conditions that, if left untreated, can result in severe health impacts and even death. A person experiencing an eating disorder may exhibit a range of symptoms, including: 

• Binge eating 

• Excessive exercise 

• Extreme fear of gaining weight 

• Feelings of shame toward food 

• Purging 

• Restricted eating 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are caused by an interaction of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. While many of these influences are uncontrollable, adjusting social factors such as an individual’s use of social media can have a significant impact on the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. 

A 2023 review published in the Journal of Eating Disorders pointed to high levels of body dissatisfaction as a predictor of eating disorders for people of all genders. It further revealed a strong connection between social media and eating disorders for female respondents due to increased concerns regarding weight and shape. Specifically, “appearance-focused social media” was associated with a higher risk of disordered eating in this study.  

Further, the same review found that up to 25% of male respondents also experienced a higher risk of eating disorders when exposed to similar social media content, emphasizing the impact of harmful media exposure across genders.  

Interestingly, even respondents who weren’t predisposed to ED based on other factors were found to be heavily affected when exposed specifically to content that encouraged pro-eating disorder behaviors, such as calorie restriction. Female respondents with a normal BMI and no history or predisposition to ED cut calorie intake by an average of 20% after a week of exposure to such content compared to groups exposed to healthier exercise and nutrition accounts.  

Female respondents with a normal BMI and no history or predisposition to ED cut calorie intake by an average of 20% after a week of exposure to such content compared to groups exposed to healthier exercise and nutrition accounts.

This highlights the danger of body shaming on social media as well as diet or weight loss trends spread quickly by celebrities and influencers. Especially for individuals already experiencing body dissatisfaction and body dysmorphia, exposure to such content can lead to eating disorders and other harmful conditions. 

If you’re concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders Association to find resources for support. 

What are the Positive Effects of Social Media on Body Image?

Of course, when utilized responsibly, social media can positively impact body image. Health and wellness, fitness, and plant-based food accounts can all be inspirational models for some users. Many influencers also take a more explicitly body-positive approach, crafting content that demonstrates confidence in their bodies and appearances, including features that may traditionally be considered flawed.  

A 2022 study on the effects of body-positive Instagram posts found that adult women exposed to body-positive content on social media experienced an overall increase in body appreciation and satisfaction. The study followed more than 200 women ages 18 to 76 as they interacted with body-positive content, neutral, or focused on the thin ideal. It found that those exposed to Instagram content with body-positive messaging demonstrated overall positive shifts in their body image and beliefs about their appearance. 

This study and the growing presence of body-positive online influencers and creators demonstrate that social media and body image do not have to exist at odds. With practice, individuals can use social media to build and maintain both healthy habits and positive attitudes toward their appearance.  

How to Maintain a Healthy Mindset on Social Media

How can you maintain a positive body image in the age of social media? One standard tip from experts is to reduce time spent on social media, especially during formative teenage years. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), high school students who spend more than two hours on social media each day are 1.6 times more likely than their peers to have issues with their body image.  

By reducing the time spent scrolling on social media, you can protect yourself from the temptation to compare your appearance to filtered and touched-up pictures, ultimately preserving your confidence and building a healthier body image in the long run. 

Of course, as social media platforms continue to grow, it becomes more to avoid them altogether. Here are a few tips from NEDA for protecting your body image and overall mental health while using social media: 

• Be selective about who you choose to follow. If you follow creators outside of friends and family members, avoid accounts that make you feel insecure about the way you look. 

• Post and interact with body-positive content. Social media algorithms analyze what kind of content you post and interact with. By liking, sharing, and commenting on body-positive posts, you’ll ensure that more of the same will come your way. 

• Think critically about the images you see. When you see an image or video on social media, look for signs that it has been edited or created using a filter. This can help you remember that not everything you see online is real. 

Another approach is to learn more about the connection between social media and mental health. Social media will only continue to present unexpected mental health challenges, particularly to the way we perceive ourselves. Because research in this field is on the rise, consider concentrating on the psychological effects of social media by earning an online B.S. in Psychology from King University. 

King’s psychology degree program is designed to educate students in the breadth and depth of psychological theories and research with special emphasis on how these areas relate to the real world. Learning online, you’ll be able to progress at your pace and practice evidence-based techniques that can be immediately applied to your job. With transfer credits, you could graduate in 16 months. Contact an enrollment counselor to get started today.