In today’s world, the self-presentation of beauty and perceptions of others play an important role in developing our identities. Social media comprises a lot of social networking sites, and it is one of the most important factors contributing to the mental, emotional, and physical appearance and health of an individual. With the media constantly portraying a representation of ideal beauty standards through advertising, influencing content, and sharing of pictures and videos, it then influences the general perception of what beauty is. With each age, there is an online representation of what the beauty standard is. Whereas the truth is that some of the images portrayed are unrealistic and impossible to attain, which in turn leads to vulnerability or low selfesteem when these expectations are not met. Here, we discuss some ways in which social media has directly influenced beauty standards.

Body Modification

Khloe Abiri

Khloe Abiri

For some people, social media is a means to presenting the best version of themselves and many women may imitate their ideal media personality due to the social class and looks they associate with. Body modifications like cosmetic surgery, tattooing, piercing, photoshop, and filters are readily available to anyone playing into the unrealistic body image, leading to a constant comparison of oneself to unrealistic standards. Individuals who get tattooed refer to it as a piece of art and piercings are regarded as fashion accessories while cosmetic surgery is a way to maintain the body and be distinctive from others physically. A lot of A-list celebrities and influencers have been slammed due to using photoshop to edit Instagram selfies by making unrealistic alterations to look thinner or hide flaws, proving the impact of social Media on beauty trends in society.

Beauty Trends

Social networking sites have the potential to influence positive trends and attitudes in individuals. The online platform has given many individuals a feeling of a “sense of belonging.” We are often obsessed with jumping on current beauty trends on social media simply by being a fan of our favorite celebrities. Today, social media includes individuals of a different race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation; focusing more on breaking stereotypes. Who doesn’t want to look like Sasha Fierce if you believe it will help reinforce your confidence and sexuality?

Body Type And Size

If we are being totally honest, the ideal body type encouraged for women on social media is supermodel thin, with a tiny waist, and some curves. This narrative gave rise to a continuous pursuit for the perfect body either through dieting, exercise, slimming products, or other weight loss methods. Social media portrays women who are slim as being more beautiful and successful compared to plus-size women. But an obsession with physical features reveals a lack of selfworth, leaving women dissatisfied with their physical bodies. Nonetheless, they are women who have fought hard to change beauty standards through dedication and hard work; be it through exercising, eating healthy, or building self-esteem whilst accepting their body type wholeheartedly.

 

Sophia Edisi
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