Introduction
With the continuous technological advances of modern day, social media has evolved to become a significant part of Generation Z’s daily lives. Despite being beneficial to our lives, there are numerous disadvantages to social media use. One of the problems created by social media is a disconnection between perception and reality. This causes teenagers and young adults to become self conscious, develop unrealistic beauty standards, and ultimately face a lack of confidence in their own body image.
Background
In Hong Kong, 3,057,000 people (approximately 40.3% of the entire population) use the social media platform instagram, in which approximately ¼ are Generation Z (NapoleonCat (2021), Instagram Users in Hong Kong May 2021). It has been shown that young people (mostly Generation Z individuals) are more susceptible to developing unhealthy perceptions of their body image. A survey showed that more than 70% of young women in Hong Kong are displeased with the way their bodies look (Nicholas Hsu (2020), YoungPost SCMP; more than 70% of young women in Hong Kong are unhappy with their bodies). In particular, 41 per cent said they were unhappy with their facial features, including skin tone and quality. Data like such allowed experts to identify a growing connection between social media and unhealthy body standards.
Influencers/Why
Influencers are the very cause of the problem revolving around unhealthy body standards. They have incredibly large followings on social media, allowing millions of followers to keep up with their daily lives. Influencers may feel pressured to look a certain way to fit the beauty standards circulated around the web, in hopes of receiving likes and positive comments. This may cause them to rely heavily on photo-editing softwares like Photoshop. As a result, the way that social media influencers appear to look on Instagram is not identical to their appearance in real life.
Their posing, camera angles, use of professional photographers, and cosmetic surgery are additional factors that contribute to the unrealistic beauty standards they “promote” on their social media platforms.
Apps
With all the available technology, it is undoubtedly convenient for anyone to use apps namely Facetune and Photoshop to edit their appearances in photos before posting them on social media. Features such as ‘reshape’ can easily morph body features to look slimmer or more curvy. Filters can also easily make individuals’ skin appear smoother or allow them to virtually apply makeup.
Examples
For instance, unrealistic beauty standards include having extremely tiny waists as well as perfectly clear skin. This is unrealistic as an extremely thin waist would be impossible to contain all organs crucial for survival, like our intestines. Furthermore, an extremely flat stomach is undoubtedly unobtainable in real life as the ‘fat’ is crucial for protecting our digestive and reproductive organs.
Dangers
Social media and the unrealistic beauty standards set are detrimental to young people as they may potentially cause individuals to develop body dysmorphia, low self confidence or unhealthy insecurities with their bodies. It may also be the root cause of certain mental health illnesses and eating disorders, such as anxiety or anorexia. As a result, people may decide to undergo life-threatening cosmetic surgeries to achieve the “ideal” body or facial appearance that has been circulating on social media platforms so frequently in the present day.
Moral of the Story
Not everything you see on social media is true! Your appearance does not define you - your personality and the way that you treat others, do. Love yourself just the way you are!
Sources
NapoleonCat (2021), Instagram Users in Hong Kong May 2021, https://napoleoncat.com/stats/instagram-users-in-hong_kong/2021/05
Nicholas Hsu (2020), YoungPost SCMP; more than 70% of young women in Hong Kong are unhappy with their bodies, https://www.scmp.com/yp/report/journalism-resources/article/3054214/more-70-cent-young-women-hong-kong-are-unhappy-their
TheRoar (2020), Social Media and Body Image: It’s Worse Than You Think, https://qlsroar.org/2020/09/27/social-media-and-body-image-its-worse-than-you-think/
Celebrity Plastic (2021), https://www.instagram.com/celebplastic/
Writing: Holly Liu
Editing: Jessica Tang
Thumbnail: Holly Liu
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