Social media can be a very harmful place if you are not careful. It is too easy to scroll through pictures and videos for hours on end, constantly comparing your body to the bodies of others. In addition, brands know how to profit off of unrealistic beauty standards and insecurities while using influencers to sell their harmful products and ideas. Having your social media feed flooded with images of celebrities and influencers who do not look anything like you can be extremely detrimental to your mental health and self-esteem. If you find yourself staring at someone’s picture a little longer than necessary and feeling jealous or insecure, it is probably time to unfollow them.
Some influencers promote products like diet teas and waist trainers to their young audiences and claim that these products are why their bodies look so good. In reality, weight loss teas usually contain dangerous laxatives not intended for regular use, and waist trainers can permanently damage your organs. However, these effects are never disclosed through a simple Instagram post. Easily impressionable young girls may risk their health in order to look like their favorite influencer without even knowing it. While it is possible that these influencers might actually use the products they swear by, it is also likely that their bodies look the way they do because of expensive workout programs, photo editing or even plastic surgery. I am not trying to shame people for getting plastic surgery, but I do think it is their responsibility to be transparent about their procedures if they do. When girls find themselves believing that people naturally have big, round and perky breasts as well as a 22 inch waist and wide hips, they start wondering why their bodies do not look like that. They might even resort to buying the harmful products that these influencers advertise.
Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and to learn new things. However, it can also be a place that encourages unhealthy habits and attitudes. To make the most out of your social media, consider doing a feed cleanse so that you are only following people who inspire you and make you feel good about yourself.