#NoFilterNeeded for Teens

How Social Media Is Shaping Your Teen’s Body Image (And What You Can Do About It)

Teenagers and young adults today have grown up in a world that has no concept of what it means to be “off the grid.” Starting at the average age of 11.5, nearly every person has their very own smartphone constantly available to them, so it is no surprise that social media has become the number-one form of interaction amongst the younger generation. By the age of 13, nearly all children already have their own social media account, with some starting even as early as 7 and 8 years old. 

While social media was designed as a way to form connections with those around us, its influences have grown far beyond just checking in to see what your best friend did this weekend or what the latest news is on your favorite influencer. 

Social media has become a constant barrage of images, videos and posts designed to compel viewers to compare their own existence. At its root, this could be considered innocent enough, yet the images and posts with which we are comparing ourselves have gone through so many edits and filters, to call them a depiction of the poster’s real life is a dangerous and misleading claim.

Teenagers are already developmentally susceptible to having rapid social, emotional and physical changes.  The ever-present onslaught of carefully curated selfies and aesthetically pleasing photos are an obvious breeding ground for feelings of not being good enough. As teenagers are in a particularly vulnerable stage of life for developing mental health issues, this constant exposure to unrealistic body and beauty standards through social media can be detrimental to their own relationship with their body and the image that they have of themselves. 

Filters and False Realities

In our digital era, youth are exposed to hundreds of images a day that are carefully constructed to present one’s best self. Photo and body-editing programs and filters make the images that teens are comparing themselves to unattainable and even dangerous. These false realities can leave a teenager feeling unworthy and dissatisfied with their own life, no matter what the reality actually may be. Real life cannot measure up to the filters of social media. 

Studies have shown a significant rise in body and weight dissatisfaction for youth who frequently use social media. So, the question becomes how can we help our younger generation in a rapidly advancing technological world that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon?

stop scrolling & take a social media break

Left unchecked, struggles with body image can become harmful, causing teenagers to withdraw from their world and develop a dwindling sense of self-worth. It is critically important to help them navigate this social media riddled world. A healthy body image starts with letting go of the mentality that one size fits all – so a huge step in creating this healthy relationship with one’s own body is to limit the amount of time being exposed to unrealistic body images on social media. Help your teen monitor their exposure and set a schedule to minimize the amount of time spent scrolling. 

Encourage your teen to set healthy boundaries with the unrealistic standards set by those on social media. This may look like unfollowing accounts that make them feel badly about themselves or that promote unattainable beauty standards. Instead, encourage them to seek out pages that support body positivity and post uplifting and affirming content. These actions can empower young adults to take ownership of their relationship with the digital world, which can positively impact their mental health. 

model self-acceptance

Social media naturally lends itself to causing us to partake in comparative culture. We see pleasing images online, and we want those things for ourselves. Our brains are wired for it! However, when engrossed in the world of scrolling, it’s easy to lose sight of the beauty and positivity that make up our own actual reality. 

Parents can make a crucial difference by fostering an environment that focuses on self-acceptance and celebrates individuality. Showing a teen how to appreciate their own body and embrace what makes them uniquely them is foundational for promoting healthy body image. Teenagers learn by example (that’s why the influence of social media is so prominent in the first place!) When they see those around them openly practicing self-acceptance and love, and rejecting the artificial standards set by society, it can help them find the strength to do the same for themselves. 

Open discussions about body positivity and acceptance, along with emphasizing the importance of your teen’s mental wellbeing over their physical appearance helps them to understand and accept their own body and avoid putting such emphasis on things such as the size of their jeans or their extremely curly hair. Help them discover their strengths by supporting diverse interests, encouraging creative expression, and emphasizing the importance of their personal values over the external validation found through a “like” on Instagram. 

seek help for body image issues

Navigating the world of being a teenager is no easy feat. Recognizing the struggles that your teen is facing on a daily basis can leave you feeling at a loss. Fortunately, therapy can offer a source of hope for your teen as they struggle with the overwhelming and omnipresent influences of social media and the impact it may be having on their own body image. 

Body image struggles are often rooted in shame, self-criticism and a feeling of being unworthy. Through therapy, teens can learn to process the digital world and their relationship with it, and work towards conquering these negative self-perceptions. Therapy provides teenagers with an outlet to express themselves creatively, which can promote exploration of their own feelings and help build their self-esteem. Shifting their focus to what they can accomplish and appreciating what their bodies can do can help them positively realign with what is important versus being overwhelmed by comparing themselves to unrealistic and unattainable standards. For a teen who is fixated on their flaws, helping them focus on their strengths and appreciation for the function their body has can be a crucial and game changing experience. 

If you find yourself with a teen who is constantly scrolling and comparing themselves to the overly-filtered and edited world of social media, consider working with a counselor. I specialize in helping young adults challenge negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions that tell them they are not good enough. Through strengths-based therapy, we can help your teen understand the negative influence that social media can hold over them and discover the limitless potential they possess. In Texas, you can reach out to me at Lifeologie Counseling Dallas Uptown at (214) 357-4001, or find a therapist near you at wefixbrains.com/therapists to help get your teen on the path to self-compassion and acceptance!