How Social Media is Contributing to a Self-Esteem Crisis

When someone uses an app or a filter to change their appearance online. Often 'beauty filters' slim, add makeup and airbrush. These filters are common on nearly all social media platforms and there are plenty of apps which can be downloaded for free. Now, even smartphone inbuilt camera's allow you to do this. 

 

By age 13, 85% of girls in the UK distort the way they look online* 

 

Studies show that social media significantly influences plastic surgery trends, and people are bringing in photos of their filtered selves as their inspiration pictures - InStyle 

 

Effects can also include: 

Self-esteem is an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. 

 

Using filters and editing apps may cause us to focus more on aspects about ourselves that we don't like, which can lead to lower self-esteem. In a new study, 90% of young women reported using filters or editing their photos to appear as if they had whiter teeth, weighed less, had a different nose, or other physical changes.** 

"Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have BDD, but it's most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women" - NHS 

Whilst we can't change social media platform features or how others use technology, we can become aware of our own use and what we put into the world. 

 

Raising awareness around the issue is important, just as Dove have showcased with their latest campaign - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2T-Rh838GA 

 

We can also educate children and young people around online safety, the dangers of grooming and we can avoid 'beautification' filters on our own selfies.