Social Media's Influence Over Body Image and Eating Disorders
From cute dog videos and tasty recipes to current events and pop culture tidbits, you can find just about anything on social media. Within this amalgam, there are also millions of photos and videos that present near-unattainable body images and unrealistic beauty standards. For that reason, many people suspect social media could increase the risk of body image issues and eating disorders.
But does the research match up with these hunches? White Pine Center for Healing, a holistic eating disorder treatment center, looks at what the research suggests about social media’s influence over body image and eating disorders.
The Time Spent on Social Media is Staggering
To put all the following research in perspective, you must understand people's social media habits. On average, people spend 2.5 hours a day on social media. Keep in mind, that number is only an average. Many teens and tweens are spending upwards of eight hours a day on social media.
Further, research shows that overall screen time for ages eight to eighteen increased by 17 percent between 2019 and 2021. The bulk of this increase is due to more time spent on social media platforms. To be clear, there are certainly benefits to spending time on social media, such as building relationships, fostering a sense of community, and even education. However, it’s not always the time spent scrolling that’s the issue. It’s the content.
Social Media Is Linked To Increased Self-Objectification
Social media can be a valuable tool for finding ways to live a more active lifestyle. Whether you're looking for new trails to hike or workouts to try, you'll likely find them. But many people also stumble across potentially risky lifestyle content, such as "fitspo."
A recent study from Macquarie University of Australia linked greater Instagram usage with increased self-objectification and body image concerns among women between the ages of 18 and 23. The rates of body image concerns were exceptionally high among those who frequently consumed fitspiration content.
Moreover, research found that teen girls using social media were significantly more likely than non-social media users to have internalized a drive for thinness and to engage in body surveillance. This is because oftentimes, images on social media are edited to model what society projects as the “ideal” way to look when in reality, it is untrue and unattainable for most people.
But teenagers don’t always think that way when they are scrolling.
If teens are consuming this kind of content every time they go on social media, it’s likely they are comparing themselves to the influencers they see, often leading to them feeling bad about themselves. This can eventually cause body shame that, if left unaddressed, can lead to disordered eating in an attempt to look more like the influencers they are being exposed to.
Social Media Provides a Place for Cyberbullying to Occur
Pew Research Center found that 59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online, and a similar share says it's a major problem for people their age. Researchers also noted that similar percentages of boys (59%) and girls (60%) had been harassed online. However, the Journal of Health Psychology found that school-age girls are three times more likely than boys to consider their bodies "too fat" after being cyberbullied.
Social Media Is Linked to Orthorexia Nervosa
Discovering new recipes that make your body feel good on social media can be a great way to spark things up in the kitchen. But research published in Eating and Weight Disorders found that the “clean” eating community on Instagram has a high prevalence of orthorexia nervosa symptoms (the obsession with eating healthy), with higher Instagram use linked to increased symptoms. Orthorexia nervosa is frequently comorbid with anorexia nervosa, making this disorder all the more dangerous.
Social Media Is Linked with Other Mental Disorders
The amount of time spent staring into the abyss of our screens is alarming. A study published in CyberPsychology, Social Networking, and Behavior suggests that the prolonged use of social media can increase rates of depression, low self-esteem, and addiction. These findings are disconcerting due to the fact that eating disorders are often comorbid with other mental conditions.
Social Media is a Gateway to “Pro-Ana” Content
Despite Instagram and Facebook’s best efforts, there are still volumes of graphic images of weight loss, dangerous posts encouraging disordered eating, and instructions on extreme dieting. Many users on these accounts praise each other for their efforts.
BBC News and NHS Digital reported a rise of more than 130% in those aged 19 and under suffering from eating disorders being admitted to hospital since 2011. In 2018, there were more than 2,000 admissions for children aged 15 or under —up 163% from 2011.
Unfortunately, the promotion of disordered eating behaviors is so widely accepted throughout social media because society has taught us that diet culture is the lifestyle to live in order to be happy and healthy, which has been proven time and time again to be untrue and dangerous.
Using Social Media Wisely
Ultimately, social media is a tool. And, like any tool, it can be dangerous to use without understanding its intricacies. To minimize the risk of social media, try:
Reducing Your Screen Time: To get a baseline of your social media use, view your screen time reports. If you have an iPhone, go to settings > screen time > tap turn on screen time and follow the additional prompts. If you have an Android, go to settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls > tap Show Data. Your goal should be around two hours of screen time per day.
Avoiding Critiquing Appearances: People's compliments and criticisms often revolve around one's appearance. Be part of the solution by commenting about something other than a person's looks. Here are some ideas: Tell them they're a great friend, tell them you admire their passion for what they're doing in a post, compliment their "vibe" or "energy," or tell them they inspire you.
Put the Kibosh on Cyberbullying: If you're experiencing cyberbullying, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or guidance counselor as soon as possible. Also, know that sometimes silence speaks louder than words. Use the block button if someone is harassing you online. Remember, you can report people's profiles, direct messages, and comments. If it's on your own post, you can delete comments that make you feel bad and encourage others to do so. Speaking up and disagreeing with a bully's words can also help. But please note, more comments may actually amplify a post, meaning the bully's comments will be viewed and read more times.
Follow People Who Keep it Real: Social media posts are curated. Not only that, but most photos and videos are heavily edited or have a filter on them. For that reason, find accounts that stay positive, support people's genuine selves, and offer uplifting advice (e.g., White Pine Center, ANAD, The Body Positive).
We’re Here If You Need Help
White Pine Center for Healing is the tri-state area's only center supporting individuals experiencing or recovering from eating disorders, body image issues, weight stigma, and trauma. We promote healing, recovery, and prevention and guide individuals through their recovery journey. If you need to help or have a loved one in need, please reach out today for more information.
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