The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem among adolescents.
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Introduction
The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem among adolescents has been a growing concern in recent years. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the influences of social media due to their developmental stage, which is characterized by heightened sensitivity to peer feedback and social comparison.
Key Insights
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Negative Impact of Passive Social Media Use:
- Adolescents who engage in passive social media use, such as browsing and responding to others' posts, tend to experience decreased self-esteem and increased body dissatisfaction .
- High investment in social media and receiving negative feedback are associated with lower self-esteem and poorer body image .
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Positive Feedback and Self-Esteem:
- Positive self-presentation and receiving positive feedback on social media can enhance self-esteem. Adolescents who actively post updates and receive positive feedback tend to have higher self-esteem .
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Gender Differences:
- The negative effects of social media on appearance self-esteem are more pronounced in girls than in boys. Girls are more likely to experience decreased self-esteem due to appearance comparisons and internalization of ideal body images .
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Emotional Investment and Nighttime Use:
- Adolescents who are emotionally invested in social media and use it at night report poorer sleep quality, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
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Role of Appearance Comparisons:
- Frequent appearance comparisons on social media are linked to lower body esteem and increased body dissatisfaction. This is particularly true for adolescents who engage in photo browsing and editing behaviors .
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Biopsychosocial Factors:
- Social media use is associated with body image concerns, disordered eating, and muscle-building behaviors. These relationships are influenced by a combination of psychological, social, and biological factors .
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Highly-Visual Social Media (HVSM):
- Use of HVSM platforms like Instagram and Snapchat is associated with higher body image concerns and internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. These effects are mediated by body image concerns.
Conclusion
The research indicates that social media use has a complex impact on adolescents' body image and self-esteem. Passive use and high emotional investment in social media are generally associated with negative outcomes, such as decreased self-esteem and increased body dissatisfaction. Positive feedback and active engagement can enhance self-esteem, but the overall impact is more detrimental for girls due to heightened appearance comparisons and internalization of ideal body images. Addressing these issues requires targeted interventions and education to mitigate the negative effects of social media on adolescents' mental health and body image.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The impact of social media use on appearance self-esteem from childhood to adolescence - A 3-wave community study
Association Between Social Networks and Subjective Well-Being in Adolescents: A Systematic Review
#Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
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A Biopsychosocial Model of Social Media Use and Body Image Concerns, Disordered Eating, and Muscle-Building Behaviors among Adolescent Girls and Boys
The Impact of Social Media on Self-Image Control in Adolescents and Relevant Factors
Effects of Social Media and Smartphone Use on Body Esteem in Female Adolescents: Testing a Cognitive and Affective Model
Associations between social media, adolescent mental health, and diet: A systematic review
The Long-Term Benefits of Positive Self-Presentation via Profile Pictures, Number of Friends and the Initiation of Relationships on Facebook for Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and the Initiation of Offline Relationships
Highly-visual social media and internalizing symptoms in adolescence: The mediating role of body image concerns
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