By Elizabeth Valdes
Social media is an addictive lifestyle. We often catch ourselves reaching for our phone first thing in the morning to scroll on either Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok for several hours. Statistics have shown that an individual will spend approximately 6 years and 8 months of their lifetime on these platforms. So much content is consumed at a very young age, and most importantly, teenagers are heavily swayed by what they see each day in the media. Constant exposure to the unrealistic standards displayed online may contribute to body dysmorphia and a distorted self-image, triggering eating disorders. There has been an increase in eating disorders among teenagers, and it is negatively influenced by adolescent exposure to misleading “tips” for weight loss, unrealistic beauty expectations, and the overall hyper-awareness of people’s appearance created from social media.
The Media Effect
Continuous exposure to the exaggerated expectations seen online can lead to a negative self-image and dissatisfaction with one’s body, which can either cause or worsen ED (eating disorders). Eating disorders are classified as mental health illnesses that are defined by intense and erratic eating behaviors that are harmful to an individual’s physical and mental well-being. These consist of binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. These disorders can be directly connected to social media addiction. A clinical report conducted by data analyst Mushtaq Tehreem analyzed 350 people between the ages of 14 and 25 who participated in a descriptive cross-sectional study on the prevalence of ED and their association with social media addiction among youths. This report was approved by the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the study demonstrates that among teenagers who use social media, around 12% exhibit signs of social media addiction. This addiction affects various aspects of life; it can lead to behavioral and psychological concerns and eventually affect an individual’s mental, social, and emotional well-being. The overall results of the report indicate that out of 350 people, the tendency toward eating disorders is prevalent in 42% of the participants.
To further exemplify the claim that when social media is rigorously used, it can jeopardize young individuals’ mental and physical well-being, there has been other research that further studies how one of the largest platforms, Facebook, directly contributes to ED. More frequently, Facebook use was associated with greater disordered eating in a cross-sectional survey containing 1,960 women. Based on this study, it’s evident how users of this specific site have reported feeling self-conscious about their appearance, considering that there was no outlet to post pictures of oneself before this social network was created. Reading comments under a picture of yourself and factoring in others’ opinions can lead to many new insecurities that may have never surfaced before this age of media. For teenage girls who long to fit in and mimic their idols, this mindset of looking “picture perfect” is further distorted due to celebrity photoshopping.
What happened to Kris Jenner?
Photoshopping media posts can further distort the reality of body dysmorphia- a mental illness that involves thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in appearance. This can catalyze disordered eating because of unrealistic expectations to replicate the body image of celebrities who utilize this alteration technique. Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, has faced criticism and accusations of photo editing after sharing pictures from her Tuscany vacation on social media. Critics claim that Jenner’s appearance in one photo, where she looks notably slim and youthful, is the result of heavy editing to hide signs of aging. One specific image drew attention for its obvious alteration, with critics suggesting that signs of aging were digitally removed from Jenner’s face and feet. Some commenters on Reddit criticized the photo manipulation, advising Jenner to embrace the aging process. Despite the backlash, Kris Jenner has not addressed the accusations. This article, written by Caroline Gaspich in the Daily Mirror, highlights how there are many celebrities in the media who are known to have impeccable diets and body frames but also Photoshop their bodies to fit in with society’s impossible expectations. This pattern is common with the Kardashian-Jenner family but also dangerous when viewed by the younger generations who look up to these celebrities.
Coded Language
While Facebook is the largest social media platform available, Instagram is a close second, boasting roughly 2 billion monthly active users. Glamorizing various disorders is a toxic path many adolescents follow, especially on their Instagram profiles. One way they do this is by using “hashtags” to secretly promote psychological disorders and problematic behaviors on their page. There are many code words/hashtags girls use under their posts such as; “ana” (anorexia), “thinspo” (thin inspiration), or “cat” (self-harm/ cutting). If a user were to click on these words, their Instagram feed would be filled with similar posts with equal hashtags.
Girls who engage in the glamorization of disordered eating and self-harm not only employ coded hashtags but also frequently utilize coded acronyms in their profile descriptions. This is a way of communicating with only those familiar with the coded language. Girls struggling with their weight will use their Instagram bio as a way to “motivate” themselves to lose some extra pounds by exposing their goal weight and current weight. Other abbreviations, such as “HW, SW, LW, and UGW,” are used to indicate heaviest weight, starting weight, lowest weight, and ultimate goal weight. Some other common features in these bios are the number of suicide attempts they’ve had or the current disorders they are suffering from. It is clear based on this research that the images and profiles that encourage such unhealthy behaviors encourage anorexia in girls.
Dangerous “Tips”
Unfortunately, it is extremely common for deceiving weight loss methods to surface on the internet, and many teens are victims of its dangers. For example, the National Health Service’s (NHS) top doctor, Dr. Stephen Powis, has issued a warning against New Year diets, specifically cautioning against “teatoxes” and other trendy diets promoted on social media. These quick-fix techniques, often promoted by celebrities and influencers, can cause serious health risks, including potential harm to the heart and even unplanned pregnancy. Dr. Powis emphasizes the dangers of weight-loss teas, diet pills, and appetite suppressants, which may act as laxatives, flushing out contraceptives and reducing their effectiveness. The warning comes in response to a growing trend of misleading information about dieting techniques on social media, in which Dr. Powis calls for celebrities, influencers, and social media companies to take responsibility for understanding and communicating the health risks associated with these products. Without celebrities speaking up about health concerns, it’s easy for teenagers who seek advice from influencers to be completely misguided down a dangerous path of unnecessary hazards.
To further explain the scientific background of this internet trend, Senna, a laxative substance that increases the frequency of bowel movements, is present in some teatox products. Many diet programs that are available on the market consist of two tea bags: one is an energizing herbal tea that should be taken in the morning, and the other is a laxative that should be taken at night. As of right now, their use is not supported by any scientific data. A social media influencer named Crystal George disclosed her pregnancy in November after utilizing a 14-day teatox from a firm supported by celebrities, even though she had been on the pill for ten years. This is an increasingly nationwide concern and only businesses profit from the false information and insecurity perpetuated by social media.
The Good Parts
Social networks (SN), particularly those with pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia resources, can serve as a gateway to ED. Despite all of this, social networking can also be beneficial for specialists, as a means of interacting with patients who have already been diagnosed or as a tool for approaching vulnerable groups. The European Psychiatric Association conducted a study with the objective of identifying which percentage of individuals gain some positive insight within the media. A single-phase computerized search was carried out in PubMed, and the study revealed that 36.84% utilized SN as a positive tool for ED, 47.37% revealed negative influence, and 44.44% focused on encouraging anorexia or bulimia. Many believe that social media can be a popular tool used by organizations to spread useful information, encourage body positivity, and offer support to those who are battling eating disorders. Although it’s critical to promote a healthy online environment and to educate people, parents, and educators about the possible advantages and risks of using social media, the study also proved that more than half of the patients view and have been negatively affected by the media.
CoronaVirus
Several eating disorders increased when teenagers were in lockdown and isolated on their phones because of the Covid-19 pandemic. European psychiatrists investigated the impact of social media use on individuals with eating disorders, mainly focusing on the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown. Thirty patients diagnosed with ED participated, underwent clinical assessments, and completed a questionnaire on social networking use. The study suggested that ED onset during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-injury behaviors are major characteristics among younger patients, indicating a greater severity of the disorder. It was revealed that ninety percent of adolescents experienced weight changes during the pandemic, with the majority seeking nutritional or psychological interventions. A pilot study, published by the Cambridge University Press, highlights how, during a time when adolescent media usage was at its peak due to the virus, so were multiple eating disorders. This being said, it’s evident that the isolation from COVID-19 heavily influenced youths to change their appearance.
After substance abuse, eating disorders rank second in the mortality rate of any mental health issue. Based on this research, there has been a rise in disordered eating amongst teens, which is largely caused by the introduction of contemporary beauty standards that promote false “tips” for weight loss, overinflated perceptions of beauty, and an increased awareness of appearance brought about by social media posting. Americans’ lives are being influenced in new ways by social media, as it is expanding and pervading their lives every day. Therefore, it is the duty of every individual to inquire about the potential advantages and disadvantages that social media may have for society.
References
“Beware new year ‘teatoxes’, says senior doctor; Social media celebrities posting ‘misleading’ diet tips.” Daily Telegraph [London, England], 31 Dec. 2019, p. 1. Gale OneFile: Health and Medicine, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610112810/HRCA?u=txshracd2512&sid=ebsco&xid=6802b48a. Accessed 25 Nov. 2023.
Jordan, G. L., García, M. D. C. D., Cano, M. M., Cubo, M. J., Díez, B. L., Martín, A. S., Esteban, P. S., Sánchez, P. M., Del Barrio, J. A. G., & Ayesa-Arriola, R. (2021). Can social media be beneficial for eating disorders? European Psychiatry, 64(S1), S703–S703. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1861
“Kris Jenner’s youthful appearance confuses Kardashian-Jenner critics; Kardashian-Jenner critics have called out reality television star Kris Jenner for using photoshop following a new social media post in which the star looked a lot more youthful.” Daily Mirror [London, England], 9 Sept. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A764358696/ITOF?u=txshracd2512&sid=ebsco&xid=c539912e. Accessed 25 Nov. 2023.
Mushtaq, Tehreem, et al. “Prevalence of Eating Disorders and Their Association with Social Media Addiction among Youths.” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 21, Nov. 2023, p. NA. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A772535479/AONE?u=txshracd2512&sid=ebsco&xid=f4989743. Accessed 25 Nov. 2023.
Micanti, F., Spennato, G., Claudio, R., Amoroso, E., D’Ambrosio, M., Saia, V. M., Barone, A., Tadic, M., Galletta, D., & Vannini, M. (2023). Social media influence on Eating Disorders since COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study. European Psychiatry, 66, S218–S218. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.509
Tanner, E. (2021). Girls, Instagram, and the Glamorization of Self-loathing Item Type article. https://soar.suny.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12648/2718/dissentingvoices/vol4/iss1/10/fulltext%20%281%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Edited by Lamisa Chowdhury
Astra Stem 
Leave a comment