Social media has become an inseparable part of teenagers' lives, with millions of them using these platforms daily. However, it has a detrimental impact on their body image, mental health, and overall well-being.
According to the American Psychological Association, 41% of teens with high social media usage suffer from poor mental health. This digital exposure can also cause eating disorders among vulnerable teens. Some of the prevalent eating disorders in the age group are binge eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.
Fortunately, effective treatments for teenage depression and other issues stemming from eating disorders are available. These measures follow a multidisciplinary approach and involve a combination of nutritional, psychological, and medical interventions. However, it is essential to understand the root of the problem in the first place.
This article will explore the numerous ways in which social media platforms can drive eating disorders among teens.
Social media platforms are bombarded with highly edited and filtered images that present unrealistic and often unattainable beauty standards. Youngsters are particularly vulnerable to these external influences during their formative years.
They are constantly exposed to idealized body appearances and types, leading to a distorted perception of what determines a normal or desirable body.
Polaris Teen Center demonstrates how teenagers are brainwashed by the influencers with some concerning statistics. 69% of females aged 10 to 18 feel that social media photos of models and celebrities drive their desire for an "ideal" body shape.
The U.S. media and pop culture idealize thinness. Thus, adolescents and teens are among the population most strongly influenced, especially by the popularity of social media.
Many teens develop a negative body image. Moreover, they also engage in risky eating- behaviors to achieve these ideal standards. The desire and pressure to conform to these ideals can be stressful. This potentially triggers and exacerbates eating disorders as adolescents strive to have the seemingly flawless bodies they see on social media.
Social media algorithms encourage constant comparison with peers, influencers, and celebrities, which can significantly impact the self-esteem of teenagers. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok are designed to showcase the happiest moments of people's lives, often presenting an unrealistic version of reality.
A study published in Oxford Academic Journal in 2024 revealed that social media upward comparison was associated with momentary decreases in self-esteem. Also, moments when people posted on social media led to higher levels of connectedness. According to the research, certain social media experiences can have an instant impact on a person's sense of connection and self-worth.
Teen users may feel inadequate or inferior when their own lives and appearances do not match the idealized standards. This heightened focus on appearance can cause disordered eating patterns.
The popularity of social media platforms can lead to cyberbullying and body shaming issues. This can have severe impacts on teens' mental health and body image. These platforms provide a space where anyone can make hurtful and negative comments about others' appearances with relative impunity.
Such derogatory interactions can be extremely devastating for teenagers, who are often hyper-aware of their bodies and sensitive to criticism. Cyberbullying or online body-shaming incidents can cause eating disorders. This happens when adolescents internalize these negative comments and potentially resort to unhealthy behaviors in an attempt to avoid further disrespect.
The public nature of these platforms can also amplify the impact of such incidents, which can potentially lead to long-lasting psychological damage. A study published in Wiley Online Library in 2023 revealed that high levels of cyberbullying were associated with worry about weight gain. Cyberbullying perpetration was also correlated with binge eating.
Some social media platforms inadvertently host pro-eating disorder content and communities that promote harmful behaviors. Their target audience is teens and the content is promoted in the form of subliminal messages that play with adolescent’s minds and psychology.
These spaces are often referred to as "pro-ana" (pro-anorexia) or "pro-mia" (pro-bulimia) communities and they normalize disordered eating. Besides that, they provide teens with dangerous tips and encouragement to pursue unhealthy habits.
A study published in Springer Link in 2022 highlighted the experience of people when engaging in pro-eating disorder media. Researchers determined that as little as 2.5 hours of exposure to pro-eating disorder media can have a drastic impact on the eating behaviors of individuals.
These communities often persist in various forms despite several efforts by social media companies to remove such content. Vulnerable adolescents may stumble upon this content while seeking constant support or information about body image issues, potentially leading them down a dangerous path.
According to the social learning theory, people can develop anorexia nervosa through associations, also known as the principles of classical conditioning. They can then maintain this maladaptive behavior via reinforcement and rewards.
Magazines, television, and social media platforms often create an unrealistic image of the perfect, successful individual. For example, the pressure to be thin can lead to unhealthy dieting. Adolescents, in particular, are at high risk of falling prey to eating disorders.
Social media platforms must implement protocols that acknowledge the negative impact of social media on body image and resultant disordered eating behaviors among adolescents. Public awareness and parental vigilance can also make a difference.
The digital landscape presents various challenges for adolescent mental health. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals should be aware of these risks and work together to promote healthy social media habits and positive body image.
The focus should be on building media literacy, encouraging open communication, and providing support for vulnerable teens. Ultimately, creating a balanced approach to social media use and promoting self-acceptance can play a pivotal role in overcoming eating disorders among teenagers.
