There's been a lot of talk lately about the negative impact social media influencers have on women's body image. For us and those who have daughters, it is worth considering whether and how we are participating in an influential culture.
Are all these effects bad? It is not necessary that. Recent news articles have provided some great advice on the importance of choosing who to follow. Some influencers aim to improve women's body image, for example by sharing concerns or posting incredibly candid photos of their bellies. Others value the health and functionality of the body more than appearance.
But does this content really inspire us or just point to the "high ideal" that our culture cherishes? The answer may vary from woman to woman, but science has studied influential content and come to conclusions that apply to most women. We know this.
- Body positivity (#BoPo). In recent years, many voices have questioned traditional ideals of the female body and the unrealistic demands they place on women. Body-positive content focuses on appreciating body diversity and expanding definitions of beauty. Research has shown that body-positive social media content is associated with greater body esteem than viewing thin or even neutral photos (Cohen, Fardouly, Newton-John, and Slater, 2019). But thin, body-positive photos on Instagram increase women's self-harm or view their bodies as objects to be judged rather than neutral photos. Since self-objectification is associated with negative body image, we encourage women to explore who stands in their light and be interested in the comments on posts that affect them and assume they contain BoPo. he pretends
- Fitspiration (#Fispo). Many women want to be healthier and turn to community social networks. Trance's content is said to inspire a healthier lifestyle by posting images of healthy eating and exercise. Although this type of content has inspired some women, research shows that “inspiration” does not inspire most women (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2015). Instead, Fitpo tends to promote unrealistic expectations and narrow definitions of beauty. Because these images can have the opposite effect on them, women need to think carefully about how these messages make them feel on a personal level and whether they are helpful on the health journey. Additionally, misinformation is rampant in the health and wellness social media space. Therefore, it pays to take a close look at the credentials of the influencers we follow.
- bouncing objects. Constantly threatening a woman's body image is seen as "abandonment". To avoid this stigma, some influencers are sharing their "comeback" postpartum photos, showing off the hard work they've done to get their bodies back to their pre-pregnancy state. There's nothing wrong with being proud of your body, but science suggests that these images can often make women feel guilty about their bodies and damage their bond with their newborn (Krisjanous, Richard & Gazley, 2014). Instead of accepting this idea, women may question the logic of mainstream cultural assumptions; why should a body different from before not be different from before?
As science has shown, much of the so-called positive body content can have a negative impact on body image. The bottom line is that we have the power to create a healthy body image by choosing whether to participate in influencer culture. Equally important, our self-image, in terms of attitudes, beliefs, and personal and physical characteristics, can focus on qualities that are healthier and more satisfying than our physical appearance.
What do we do now?
1. Evaluate the influencers you follow and see how each makes them think, feel and act. Is it a positive force in your life or does it make you anxious or feel bad about yourself? Has your behavior changed positively since following them? Are these influencers qualified to make the claims they are making and are they accepted by the scientific community? Is it a wise use of time, or do you often feel like you're "in control of death?" Answers vary from woman to woman. Once you've completed this checklist, continue following or unfollow.
2. Limit the space allocated to social media and popular influencers. We know that the lives of the rich, famous and crazy are radically different from our lives. But social media has made the daily lives of influencers accessible, and sometimes we get too caught up in their behavior. How much is the damage? A recent meta-analysis found that the media fuel women's and girls' concerns about body image (Brown & Tiggemann, 2022), and this is especially true for those who care about the lives of influencers. These behaviors are associated with increased body anxiety, poor body image, and distorted beliefs about food. Is there an influencer you follow closely? If you want to follow them, consider setting a time limit and limit the amount of discussion you have about their lives. If you are raising a daughter, it also protects her.
3. Develop other aspects of "yourself". Consider how many influencers you follow who focus on content that doesn't focus on looks. Challenge yourself to pursue activities related to your interests. If you have a daughter, it's a good idea to get her involved and maybe develop new interests together.
We women receive tons of information about our bodies every day that should be for our well-being. Only we can use science to determine if this information is truly of interest . Being aware of our social influences is one way for women to create a healthy body image.