How Social Media Negatively Impacts Body Image | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

We Have The Ability To Make Social Media A Body-Positive Place, It's All In The Hashtag

Social media contributes more to our self-perception than we think, which is why we need to make a change.

419
We Have The Ability To Make Social Media A Body-Positive Place, It's All In The Hashtag

As summer kicks off, we anticipate buying new swimsuits for the season, grabbing a beach towel, and laying out by the pool all day long. To some people, this consists of pure excitement, but for others, summer comes with insecurities. Males and females alike struggle with body image issues, but it occurs more often during the summertime. One source that often contributes to this self-consciousness is social media.

The negative effects women face with body image has grown steadily over the years as social media grows in popularity and usage.

People of all ages now use social media to post, tweet, or communicate with others. Though social media does have some positive aspects, like connecting with friends and sharing photos, there are some negative parts to it as well. All types of social media platforms can be seen as extremely powerful influences, explaining its monumental effect on body image.

As different hashtags, such as #fitspiration and #thinspiration, establish themselves as the norm on social media — this may be on common fitness accounts or posted on the accounts of well-known bodybuilders — they can endanger others and their bodies through the use of diet pills, cleanses, and food restrictions that are ultimately unhealthy. Because the majority of images women see on social media are of thin, toned individuals, their desire for a thin body can oftentimes take priority over the desire for a healthy lifestyle.

This phenomenon must come to an end.

Women who devote more time to social media may be at risk for developing eating disorders, which affects not only their physical health but their mental health as well. Seeing such images causes a downfall for women in all aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, establishing this problem as prominent in society.

Women will continue to body-shame themselves while under the domination of Instagram's hashtags and ideal body Instagram accounts, which is why the hashtags must change from negative to positive.

If our community replaces negative hashtags — #thinspiration and #fitspiration — with #selflove and #bodypositivity, we can redefine what it means to be "beautiful" in today's society. As a result, this improves the negative effects that body-shaming hashtags relay to our culture. By changing the tone and messages depicted through these hashtags, women are given the opportunity to understand that their bodies are unique and individually made, just as they were taught at a young age. The perfect body should not resemble a thin, tight, and tucked figure that women often strive to achieve, but a figure that is individually perfect and unique in its own way.

SEE ALSO: 8 Twenty-Something Gals Share How They Stay Body Positive, 365 Days A Year

Not everyone in today's society obtains or even has a body such as the ones seen on Instagram. In fact, 94% of female actresses in the United States appear much thinner on television than the average American woman, proving the images women see in the media are not even realistically attainable. The media portrays unreachable standards for women through the use of makeup, airbrushing, and editing. By posting #fitspiration and #thinspiration hashtags with photos on Instagram, women get the idea that they are supposed to be thin without any exceptions. However, replacing those hashtags would cause women to learn to embrace their bodies with the knowledge that each individual is different with a different figure, weight, height, and appearance. We must take it upon ourselves to make this change. The mental and physical health risks would lessen, establishing a healthier and more positive society for all.

Take care of your mind and your body. You deserve the love you have been depriving yourself of.

Report this Content
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

2696
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

27997
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11940
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments