Within the past few years, social media has had a huge impact on creating unhealthy beauty cycles. These impacts include mental health impacts, and harm to the younger generations.
The mental health impact
The beauty industry has had a major impact on people’s mental health. These impacts can result in depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.
According to Clínic Barcelona, “social media has amplified the pressure to achieve unrealistic beauty standards. Constant exposure to edited, filtered images can distort our perception of what is normal or desirable in terms of physical appearance. ”
Instagram filters allow users to create unrealistic looks like smooth skin, thin bodies and big eyes. Moreover, repeated exposure to these characteristics on Instagram can make people feel like they’re not enough.
The effect on younger generations
There has been a big effect on younger generations when it comes to social media and the beauty industry. Many kids feel the pressure to look a certain way and act a certain way. Social media makes these feelings much worse for the younger population
Social media makes it worse because it exposes teens to the pressure of perfection in their most developmental years.
According to an article published by American Psychological Association, “Much of the psychological research on social media, body image and mental health is correlational, according to Goldfield, so it is uncertain whether people with body image and mental health issues spend more time on social media or if social media use leads to greater body image and mental health issues.”
What can be done?
A lot can be done to stop these unhealthy cycles. Some things that can be done are, starting tech free zones, monitor what teens are watching on social media. promote open communication and seek professional help if needed.
Tech free zones
Creating tech free zones in a home is a great way to help promote good mental health.
When parents remove screens from the home at certain times of the day (dinner, when it’s time to do chores, etc.), it can help kids be more aware of the world around them.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that, reducing screen time can change the way a young person sees themselves by a lot.
Monitoring social media usage
Monitoring what a teen sees on social media can help not only parents, but the teen too.
Keeping an eye on how a teen uses social media doesn’t mean invading their privacy, but using parental controls to make sure the teen is using social media responsibly.
Open communication with teens
Many teens don’t feel comfortable telling their parents if they are struggling, but these conversations are essential. These conversations are especially essential if a teen is struggling with their body image due to social media.
Teens who seek parental support are less likely to seek validation from strangers on social media. Parents should create a nonjudgmental environment for their teen to talk about social media and peer pressure
Professional support
If a teen already shows signs of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety or disordered eating, that’s related to their social media use, it might be time to seek a mental health professional.
Therapists that specialize in adolescents can be very helpful in providing coping mechanisms and help them regain a healthy self-image.
Teens should know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
