We all seem to know the fact that social media is not the best place for anyone suffering from poor body image and low self esteem, especially teenagers who tend to be at their most vulnerable. The recent #StatusOfMind survey, which covered almost 1,500 teens and young adults, showed that Instagram is the worst social media network for mental health and wellbeing.
And even though it got points for self-expression and self-identity, the survey revealed the platform is associated with anxiety, depression, bullying, and the fear of missing out. The latter is precisely the reason why so many young people still use the platform, even though they’re aware of the negative effect it has on them.
"Seeing friends constantly on holiday or enjoying nights out can make young people feel like they are missing out while others enjoy life,” the #StatusOfMind report states. “These feelings can promote a ‘compare and despair’ attitude.”
This is especially true when it comes to hugely popular beauty and fashion posts. Instagram users have created the whole Insta-hot look that features a perfectly glammed-up face, a carefully arranged background, flawless plump skin, and full lips. This cyborgian look was further escalated by social media influencers, Facetune, and plastic surgery.
And even if magazines have long edited photos of celebrities, thanks to Photoshop, Facetune, and other selfie alteration apps, the picture-perfect look has become available to virtually anyone.
As the boundaries of real and fictional are increasingly blurred, it may be easy to forget that many of the images on social media are chasing down a look that was never born in the real world. Lifeless and even terrifying, it begs us to rethink how we allowed these distorted beauty standards to become the norm.
