by Deanna Smith, LCSW

Social media does have several benefits, such as business promotion, social connection, and information gathering. As a body image therapist, I also see the adverse effects of social media and how it can impact body image. First, it can encourage body comparison and body scrutiny. Secondly, it can create internalized or external pressure for individuals to post only the types of pictures that cast themselves in a positive light. Thirdly, it can promote body disgust. Individuals must be aware of these influences as they can often present subtly; but over time, they can lead to an aversion to photos or excessive fears of judgment or rejection when they post.

First, let’s talk about body comparison. Individuals can make more money, gain popularity, and receive acceptance and notoriety from social media. Because of this, people develop internalized expectations for their social media presence (even if they do not prioritize social media). There is an unspoken pressure to present glamorous images of themselves with the hope of more acceptance. This pressure is in the form of more likes, comments, or shares which communicates a sign of approval. Even individuals who do not prioritize social media still face the pressures of not posting images of themselves.

What do internalized pressures vs. external forces look like regarding body image? Think of internalized pressures as a set of rules someone has for their personal body image. For example: “I can’t get my picture taken without makeup” would be an example of internalized pressure. Maybe society has influenced this internalized expectation/rule, but the rule is primarily internal. External forces are mainly from an outside perspective. For example, someone can feel neutral about their weight but notice many compliments or more external validation when they lose weight. Hence, drawing a natural conclusion that people are paying a large amount of attention to their bodies and that they have more acceptance from others when they lose weight. Both of these expectations (internal and external) can be disordered- and can shape people’s views of themselves and their bodies. 

The final and most crucial aspect to consider as we explore some of these points is how someone views images of themselves. When people are habitually looking at pictures of themselves with disgust saying things like: “I look so gross,” or obsessing over different aspects of their bodies, they begin to develop internalized hate and judgment. They cannot just look at an image of themselves without scrutiny, fear, or disgust. 

These are just some of the many influencers that can impact how people view images of themselves. Therapists see immense disgust from our clients concerning photos of themselves, which impacts their likelihood of allowing themselves to share in memories. People often see images of themselves more critically, which can affect their body disgust. I meet with clients often who are more critical of how they look in pictures and have more aversion to their bodies after seeing pictures of themselves. I have noticed that people are generally more critical of images of themselves, and I have seen this vastly increase with the pressures of social media. Research and personal experience with clients have pointed mainly toward the pressures of social media.

If these points describe you, I challenge you to start taking pictures of yourself and looking at them from a lens of compassion rather than criticism, recognizing that images can be powerful, and finding ways to speak of these images in a kind or encouraging manner rather than from a judgmental stance. Pamela and Mateusz have told me that their clients are generally anxious before taking their pictures or worried about how they will look afterward, but consistently feel better about themselves after they see their gallery. Do not wait to find outlets that feel safe or help you move towards compassionate views of yourself. Also, review your social media, and make sure the people you follow (or people who follow you) are kind and non-judgmental, and some of your external pressures may decrease. Use social media as an outlet to support your body image, and be careful of the social media you surround yourself with, as it often influences your body image. Do not wait! Use this moment to start healing your fears surrounding pictures, and allow yourself to get your photo taken. Allow yourself to post the pictures and stop your inner critic when you notice critical thoughts when looking at your photos. Remember, if you wouldn’t say it to a friend, you should not say it about yourself!

This blog is not meant as therapeutic advice, rather to provide education. If you or a loved one is struggling with disordered eating, or body image issues know that there are many educated qualified mental health therapists and dieticians who are well-versed in these complicated issues. Please seek therapeutic & nutritional support if disordered eating or body image concerns are impacting your life.

Deanna Smith, LCSW