5 Ways Social Media is affecting your Child's Body Image
It’s no secret: teenagers are like sponges, and without proper guidance, social media can be a waterfall under which they’re standing.
Yet, it’s not a refreshing waterfall.
This waterfall can soak your children with images and videos that can harm both their mental health and self-esteem. This can lead to them suffering various health issues resulting from their sense of a poor body image or dissatisfaction.
We’re sure you remember once upon a time when you’d look in magazines or on TV, and you’d see celebrities (or any other adults) with an appearance you’d call a goal.
Yes, we’re talking about the man or the woman with the perfect body type.
With social media, now it’s everywhere.
So, parents, if you think body image concerns were a big deal when you were young. Let us be the first to tell you:
Your kids have it a lot harder.
Today, we’re going to explore five ways social media is harming your teen’s body image, and more importantly, what you can do to help it.
5 Ways Social Media is Impacting Your Child’s Body Image
1. Social Media Impacts How Teens Feel About Their Appearance
The key to a good self-image is valuing yourself and not relying on what others think.
However, posting selfies where peers can comment or leave “likes” reduces what you think about yourself.
In fact, a research team conducted a study in 2018 and found that posting selfies on social media worsens body image and mood.
After posting a selfie, the woman in the study said they felt more anxious, less attractive and less confident.
(But this affects you, too, men!)
That’s because posting the selfie gave the ladies subconscious thoughts that others would judge them on their social media.
Even worse, it gave them the thought that others they consider more attractive would be judging them.
Remember: Just because two people are friends on social media doesn’t mean they’re actually friends.
Overwhelming exposure to unrealistic imagery can lead to:
Eating disorders
Poor mental health
Desire to make changes to appearance
2. Young People Filter Their Photos, and It Distorts Reality
This is a big one, prominent on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and any other photo-sharing platforms.
How easy is it to touch up a photo? Or add a filter to one?
You can do it in less than a minute.
With that, when you take a selfie to upload to social media platforms, it’s so so easy to note your imperfections.
What’s more, you get a distorted view of reality with everyone else doing it.
You end up seeing more filters than real people, and so when you look in the mirror and see yourself, and every spot and blemish — well — it’s a one-way ticket to poor body image.
Filters can be fun and exciting. But for young people in such a sensitive stage of their life: they can cause more trouble than they’re worth.
3. Teenagers Compare Themselves To Others
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that beholder will struggle.
Imagine going on Facebook, in your stained hoodie and dirty jeans, sat on your bed with your half-eaten McDonalds by your side. You’re feeling very unattractive.
But then you see her in your newsfeed. She’s on holiday, surrounded by friends and smiling through perfect teeth.
That’s one way for your body image to take a hit.
Interestingly enough, however, the more miserable you are, the happier your social media posts.
Why? Because people only share what they want you to see.
You’d never share that picture of you sitting on the bed feeling sorry for yourself.
But young people don’t always understand that, and they compare themselves to their friend living the best life, which affects body image drastically. They look in the mirror, and they wonder:
“Why isn’t that me?”
Parents, if your teen is ever feeling down because someone on their news feed is living it large, holidaying in Spain, remind them of a time you did something special with them and watch their face light up with happy memories.
We all have our moments, after all.
4. Social Media Promotes Cyber-Bullying
Social media posts are public, and there are nasty people out there. You might suffer from anxiety disorders, but work up the courage to post that one powerful photo.
Then someone leaves a laughing emoticon on it. This little guy: 🤣
That’s all it takes to cyber-bully.
And interestingly enough, the cyberbully might not even realise they’re bullying. Because over the internet, it’s so much easier to get away with it.
The bully won’t think of the impact they’re having on your kids. Imagine if every time you posted images, it received a negative reaction?
Of course, it can leave a negative impression. It can ruin lives, cause your children to get into bad eating habits to try and look better, and what's more, have a harsh impact on their health.
So what can you do? First on the agenda is to learn about cyber-bullying.
Then, talk to your teen, let them know they’re beautiful and that you’re there for support. If you can, separate them from the negativity.
You won’t build them back up overnight, but every small step will restore their body image.
5. Social Media Is An Avenue For Peer Pressure
Imagine having a social anxiety disorder and never wanting to post. Yet, all your friends are doing it.
What’s worse, they’re telling you to do it, too!
Whether you have a disorder or not, there’s constant pressure on social media.
It’s easy to do something you don’t want to, and for your teens, that can have a considerable impact.
Your kids could be posting pictures they don’t want to post. They could be doing so out of obligation!
They might post something, thanks to a “friend”, and then sit there, in regret, waiting for the negative impact to come from it while feeling shameful about their bodies.
That can hurt your teen’s self-esteem. Pretending to be who they’re not online, just to impress others.
As an adult, we’re sure you’ve experienced peer pressure. Now, remember what we said earlier? That teens are like sponges. They’re continually looking for the validation of their peers, and to fit in, they’ll succumb to that pressure where we’d simply brush it off.
Jay Laga’aia helps teens say no to peer pressure:
How YOU Can Make A Difference.
We’ve discussed five ways social media is impacting the body of your teen, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Let's explore what you can do to boost their body image.
However, let us be the first to tell you: self-esteem is easy to shatter but challenging to rebuild. It takes time and patience.
Here’s what you can do:
● Stay positive. We mean this one. Don’t give in to their low-self esteem. Assure your child, and do so with a smile. Let them know they’re awesome and beautiful just the way they are, and take it a step further: mean it.
● Educate. We know — teens think they know it all. We used to be teens ourselves, after all! And while your words might go in one ear and out the other, educating them on the impact of social media may go a long way, even if they don’t appear receptive to it when you talk.
● Praise. Looks don’t make a person. But your teen could have lots of talents! They might be a great musician, or they might be an excellent artist. Talk about these skills, and your teen’s mind may just come away from their body, and they may just walk away with a smile.
Be a good role model.This one is perhaps the most important on our list. Teens are like sponges — a running theme. With that, if you have a poor view of your body image, then the chances are your child will, too. Be proud of yourself, your family, and your life. In turn, your teen will be proud of themselves, too.
Take one step towards a safer & healthier digital life today.
At immunizeNet, we care about safer and healthier digital lives. From Facebook or Instagram to the use of Snapchat and any other social media that may put users and their friends at risk, we’re at the forefront. With that, take a look at 3 risky apps you need to know. Or contact us today to learn about our online workshops.
Warmest Regards,
Michel (founder)