Boris Iliev

Social media has been without a doubt becoming an increasingly larger part of us teenagers’ lives. As such, it’s important to know the ways in which it affects us directly.

The Comparison trap

We are now at a time where we are constantly being bombarded with information in the form of images. The issue lies within the fact that they rarely tell the whole story behind the camera. It’s one thing to see celebrities in magazines; it’s totally different to see influencers and even friends seemingly living perfect lives with perfect bodies right on your phone. The mental comparison happens almost instantly and just as unknowingly, leading many youngsters to develop inadequate senses of self-worth. Research has shown the direct correlation between spending time on social media and feeling “not good enough”. And the teenagers aren’t to blame in this case, since they are put in this vicious cycle of consuming social media in the form of someone else’s highlight reel and comparing their whole lives, including their lowest points to that.

The far from perfect perfection

Apps and filters can make anyone look like the idealized version of themselves, but what’s worrying is that these tools make the line between reality and illusion very, very thin. It’s no longer just celebrities with access to Photoshop; now, anyone can alter their appearance with the tap of a finger. For teenagers, who are naturally critical of their appearance, these perfectly edited images set an unreachable standard. 

A standard which the confused teenager is being pushed to fit into. 

Many teenagers opt out for extreme levels of appearance alteration. Those, shown on social media, but not only, include:

• Taking performance enhancing drugs in the form of steroids or other experimental concoctions;

• Turning to unsustainable diets;

• Exercising in impractical, unsufficient or even extreme ways - just because “an influencer does it”;

• Turning to cosmetic procedures

The false sense of validation

Social media metrics like “likes” and “comments” can have a huge impact on how teens see themselves. Many teens post photos with the hope of receiving positive feedback; it’s become a form of validation. When those likes don’t roll in as expected, it can lead to feelings of rejection and self-doubt. The validation system that social media platforms thrive on is essentially teaching teenagers that their self-worth is tied to how attractive or “perfect” they look.

In a sense, social media simplifies (dumbs down) people to nothing more than a pile of flesh, skin and muscles.

What is there left to do?

The good news is that awareness is growing, and more people are starting to talk about these issues openly. Parents, educators, and even social media platforms have begun initiatives to combat the effects of body image pressures. For instance, some platforms are testing the removal of likes to shift focus away from validation, and campaigns promoting body positivity are helping to create a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of beauty.

But more than anything, it’s crucial to encourage teenagers to recognize the difference between reality and what they see online. Open conversations about self-esteem, body positivity, and the dangers of comparison can go a long way. It’s also helpful to remind teens that what they see on social media is often a highlight reel, not real life, and that real beauty isn’t something that can be edited in a photo app.