Let’s get one thing straight: young girls don’t genuinely feel unattractive or overweight when they’re with friends. However, they often distance themselves from peers, painfully aware of how they might appear in social media snapshots later on.
It’s a sobering reality. A recent study in the Psychology of Women Quarterly reveals that girls who spend considerable time on social media, particularly Facebook, tend to engage in self-comparison regarding their looks, leading to a decline in self-esteem.
The study’s authors stated, “Our research indicates that increased time on Facebook correlates with higher rates of self-objectification among young women, driven by their propensity to compare themselves to others, especially peers on the platform.”
Researchers surveyed 150 women aged 17 to 25 about their media consumption, including Facebook, fashion magazines, television, and music videos. They also asked how often these young women compared their appearances to various groups on Facebook: themselves in older photos, family, close friends, friends of friends, online-only friends, and celebrities.
The results were telling. Women who spent two or more hours on Facebook daily were significantly more likely to self-objectify. Other media forms, like traditional television and general internet browsing, didn’t show the same level of correlation. “This highlights the potential negative effects Facebook can have on body image among young women,” the researchers noted. “Facebook offers ample opportunities for self-comparison, possibly more than in everyday life. Furthermore, viewing oneself from an observer’s perspective may heighten feelings of objectification.”
I found this particularly relatable when my daughter recently expressed concern about how her fingers looked. “Mom, look at these other girls’ hands,” she said, showing me her phone filled with artistic nail selfies. “See how their fingers are long and slender? Mine are short and stubby.” Before I could reply, she added, “It doesn’t matter. I’m just going to use apps like Thinify and Facetune to make mine look better.”
Ah, the challenges of growing up in today’s digital world.
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Summary
Social media, particularly Facebook, significantly impacts young girls’ body image, leading to increased self-objectification and lower self-esteem. As they compare themselves to peers and celebrities, girls may feel pressured to alter their appearances, affecting their self-worth.