Artwork by Na yoon Cha-Ryu
If you walk around the streets and take a peek at someone’s phone, there is a high chance of you seeing them on a social media app. More specifically, if they are on platforms such as Instagram or Tiktok, there will probably be a person on the screen. Although the content they are watching may have nothing to do with who the person is and how they look physically, the first thing the user will be looking at is the person’s appearance. Whether it be a cooking video or a photo of them showing off their new car, the user will automatically take a look at who the person is first. This is how social media has shaped people’s perceptions on their bodies.
The more often people are on social media, the more they come in contact with people of different bodies and appearances. However, most users on social media will post their best pictures, leading people who view their content to be deceived in a way. Additionally, people use filters and editing to make themselves look better. Although posting may boost the user’s confidence, for others who view the content, it may have a negative effect, as it makes them more self conscious.
Social media, surprisingly, affects women more than men. Everytime women scroll through their For You Page and see someone who looks better than them, they start to feel self-conscious and look down on themselves. However, men are less affected by the photos or videos of other men. This has become a major issue in society as more and more people use social media as a source of entertainment, but it is actually turning into more of a place of judgement. Therefore, algorithms should be rebuilt to reduce the amount of body negative content, and people should start finding coping mechanisms to feel more comfortable with looking at photos of other beautiful or handsome people.
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