The pressure to be perfect: How social media can affect students’ body image
The American Psychological Association recently released a new study that involved over 200 undergraduate students and revealed a connection between positive body image and reduced social media use.
Many students report that social media can cause stress, anxiety, and depression— but they also feel like they would have trouble signing off social media completely. These findings suggest that students need help handling the pressure of navigating social media in a way that boosts their confidence and self-worth.
New study reveals the effect of social media use on student’s body image
The American Psychological Association’s recent study suggests that using social media less may lead to better attitudes about one’s body image. The study involved 220 undergraduate students between the ages of 17 and 25 who showed symptoms of depression and anxiety and were regular social media users.
How the study was conducted:
- First step: All participants were asked to rank how much they related to different statements about their appearance and weight on a scale of 1 to 5
- Week one: All the participants used their social media how they would normally
- Week two: Half of the participants reduced their social media to less than one hour every day
- End of the study: All participants rated their thoughts on the statements about their appearance and weight again
From the participants’ responses, researchers concluded that students who restricted their social media use felt better about their physical appearance and body weight and that reducing social media use could have a positive impact on body image for students. These new findings contribute to previous research done on the connection between social media and body image in students and remind us of social media’s impact on students’ lives.
Tips from a clinical psychologist on how to navigate social media
In one study, 70% of students using social media said that the content they see makes them feel stressed, anxious, and depressed. Yet, 95% of those same students said they felt helpless when it came to quitting their online habits and tend to turn to social media apps when they are struggling with their body image.
Clinical psychologist, Dr. Carla Marie Manly, gives realistic advice to reshape the way students use social media, rather than eliminate it altogether. Dr. Manly suggests that social media users:
- Learn to notice which apps trigger negative self-talk, sadness, or unworthiness— and which apps do the complete opposite
- Pay attention to their internal scripts and whether or not they engage in negative self-talk
- Create positive internal dialogues that foster self-esteem like: “I am grateful for my body. I am working toward accepting, taking care of, and loving who I am.”
TSI’s Take
Students have a lot on their plates— from school to sports to social media, many students are always on the go and stay connected to others through their phones. Constant connection has its benefits, like staying in touch with loved ones who live far away or championing a cause they care about on their favorite platform. However, studies like these remind us of the real challenges students face every day with social media and provide educators with the opportunity to help students understand that what they see on social media is not always what it seems.
At The Social Institute, we aim to empower students to Handle The Pressure of being perfect by encouraging them to spend time on and offline with people and activities that make them feel confident. In our #WinAtSocial Handle The Pressure lesson, Recognizing how the latest blockbuster films and shows in 2022 can affect us, we encourage students to closely examine the content they consume in the media and find media that takes the pressure off, rather than add to it.
For access to this Handle The Pressure lesson and more, contact us today!
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.