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Highlights
- Several studies have showcased how social media has led to an increase in the number of mental health issues.
- The most significant con of social media is how the beauty industry is taking advantage of social media’s vast reach via influencer culture.
- People need to not trust those “size-zero mannequins of social media,” and believe in their own bodies.
Image source: © QualitDesign | Megapixl.com
Human society is civilised in a manner that communication and inter-dependency has become an integral part of our society. Through ages, different mediums of communications have evolved. In today’s contemporary world, rather our virtual world, the most common way of interaction is through social media.
The social world has virtually evolved so much that social media has become a priority for communication and maintaining social relationships. However, several studies have showcased how social media has led to an increase in the number of mental health issues, especially among the younger generation.
Why are cases of anxiety and depression increasing?
The Beauty industry will starve if people become satisfied with how their bodies look. The industry collaborates with so-called influencers to create an audience that is dissatisfied and longing to fit in the "ideal body image".
The impact is severely more on women than it is on men because in the current patriarchal society, women are being judged upon on the basis of how their bodies look. There is a massive societal pressure on women to “look good.”
Most of the social media content is photoshopped to get more likes, more clicks, and more recognition, to ensure the maximum sales which gives inferiority complex to people who do not fit in the beauty standards and tend to think why they are so slim or why they are so fat.
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Image source: © Arturszczybylo | Megapixl.com
Fake beauty standards
With exceedingly white teeth, toned body, and smooth skin, the beauty companies and influencers set up guidelines for beauty standards and convey the message that nobody will be liked or recognised if she/he doesn't FIT-IN.
The first thing that we do in the morning is to check on updates on our phones and when people see the pictures of the influencers looking all flawless and toned, they tend to compare their own bodies with the influencers.
The main issue is these beauty brands are getting succeeded in what they are aspiring. They want people to think less of them so that they would spend money purchasing beauty products. And, through the influencer culture, the general public is very much affected by the stereotypical beauty standards.
The constant bodily comparison and inferiority complex affects mental health. Subconsciously, people get frustrated with how their bodies look, feel less pretty and draw towards aversion to pleasure. The desire for recognition makes us a basis of constant judgment and comparison.
Why do we need to speak up against the toxic beauty influencer culture?
People need to stop seeing their bodies as mere objects, rather connect it with spirituality because that is your body and no one else can have it nor you could have anyone else's body. Social media is giving rise to "shaming culture" and that needs to be addressed more vividly because it has a huge impact on the younger generation. The need of the hour is to determine "who I am" and that would save one from getting into the endless race of fitting into the beauty standards.
GOOD READ: What has the pandemic taught us?
Bottom line
The world of social media is an altogether different ballgame. Now the world is connected on one page: this has both pros and cons. However, the most significant con is how the beauty industry is taking advantage of social media’s vast reach via influencer culture. Thus, people need to not trust “size-zero mannequins of social media,” and believe in their own bodies.
Mental Health Disclaimer: The content in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. In an emergency, call 000. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia.
If you need help now, call: · Lifeline – 13 11 14 · Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 · Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team in your state/territory · Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636.
Find a list of services that can help you right now at Head to Health.
