Choosing the right photo is a struggle. Then picking the correct filter to make sure the photo is ready for the world to see. With a generation so obsessed with the internet, posting a selfie can be stressful considering the standards set in place. Clear skin, a curvy body, nice hair — people’s priorities are all over the place thanks to the media.
From Instagram to Twitter to Facebook, social media trends such as “#thighgap” or “#thinkingthin” promote an unrealistic and unhealthy body standard that many social media users turn to, including young children.
According to the NYC Girl’s Project, it has been recorded that over 80 percent of ten year old girls are afraid of being fat. By the age of 12, self-esteem has lowered and does not improve until the age of 20.
During a time in which perfection is praised, society relies on famous actors and actresses as role models.While many view celebrities’ weight-related struggles as cautionary tales, others turn to celebrities for guidance on how to increase their own self-esteem.
For example, Essena O’Neil, an Instagram celebrity, admits the shame she felt after becoming obsessed with a social media status.
O’Neal removed all of her social media links in order to start a new life free from the burden of social media.
“I deleted over 2,000 photos that served no real purpose other than self-promotion. Without realizing, I’ve spent majority of my teenage life being addicted to social media, social approval, social status and my physical appearance,” she said.
However, not all trends set by social media are detrimental. For example, gaining attention allows people to expand on the true meaning of perfection.
For instance, an Australian model Stefania Ferrario, created a promising online campaign, #droptheplus to celebrate “plus-sized” models.
“In the modeling industry, if you’re above a US size 4 you are considered plus-size. I do not find this empowering…I’m not proud to be called ‘plus’, but I am proud to be called a model; that is my profession!” Stefania Ferrario said.
From thousands of posts on social media and hundreds of retweets, the number of women showing their support is increasing as people stand up and speak out against the fashion world’s disrespectful classification of models.However, protecting a body image has become a norm.
A spokesperson for the Beat Eating Disorders Charity said body image is a key part of our sense of identity and not a trivial matter or personal vanity. Appearance is one of the key features of our culture.
Body image has become such a priority to those that use social media; people worldwide struggle to accept themselves as they are but organizations today work towards helping teenagers react to the media in a more positive way so that social pressures may one day be lifted.