How Social Media Affects Body Image

Comparing Self To Others

When insecure children spend too much time comparing their looks to others online, they risk sometimes becoming fixated on the appearance of exceptionally attractive peers or celebrities, a distortion furthered by the media. For example, according to Common Sense Media, roughly eighty-seven percent of the lead female characters on television shows geared toward teenagers were under the average weight for their age. Matters are made worse by the growing ability to modify one's pictures before posting them online, presenting an unrealistically polished look to the world. As a result, insecure users often develop unrealistic expectations for how they should look.

Unfortunately, the digital format of social media platforms lends itself to frequently looking at one's own social feedback and comparing it to others'. When young individuals see that the posts of some of their peers consistently gets more praise and attention, their insecurities about their social standing can worsen. Additionally, if they perceive this particular peer as being more attractive, it can further cement their insecurities about their looks.