Social Media's Poor Portrayal of Womens' Body Images Influence the Way the Younger Generation Convey Self Image, Leading to Health Risks in the Future

• The growth of social media and the vast amount of advertising is overwhelming society.
• Social media sites such as Facebook are making people more critical of their body images and overall self-esteem.
• Serious health risks are developing from the lack of nutritional teaching in schools.

In the rise of the 21^st century, social media has evolved in many different aspects. Not only has it become the most widely used medium for communication, it has also become the largest form of marketing. What started out as first as Internet relay chats and MySpace, has advanced to multi-media cross posting. Social media is where we, as users, create and share content while also constantly participating in social networking. With all of this technology surrounding society’s lives, it is beginning to manipulate our own values and altering our perceptions of body image.

A large aspect of everyday social media is advertising. What smarter way than posting a company’s latest advertisement on a site such as Facebook to market their product to the latest generation of people? When one searches the Internet on a daily basis, several advertisements pop up. Positive or negative, society is absorbed into their ad.

In fact, most of these types of advertisements may appear realistic to the human eye. When one looks at a Victoria Secret ad for the latest bikini set, or the latest protein shake for men, he or she is most likely viewing an unrealistic person. The body images of models in these sorts of advertisements are inaccurate.  This type of marketing promotes one specific body type; unaware of the health risks they may be stimulating.

Stereotypical Advertisements are Being Displayed all Over Social Media, Pursuing Society to Believe Certain Things

It is proven that advertisements have become completely stereotypical. Social media portrays women as tall and skinny, leaving out every other body type. Men are displayed as large, tall, and muscular. These body images are completely bias. Not only does this have a major effect on the youngest generation, but all people in general. From looking at these advertisements daily, one can easily become distraught if they do not look how like the model. Not only does this affect his or her mental attitude, but physical attitude as well. Ones confidence decreases when they believe that they cannot live up to a model’s appearances.

Not only are advertisements throughout social media swaying people to think a certain way, but also social media sites such as Facebook. With the freedom to post as many photos as one wants one Facebook, ones self-image is constantly recurring. This can cause relentless self-judgment. In this century, society has become much more critical of their body image. Not only do they compare themselves to others, but also other photos of themselves. “Good” pictures are instantly added on social media, while “bad” pictures added can be removed with a click of a button. A person can completely alter the way they look by picking and choosing what photos are shown to the public. With so much oppositions towards peoples’ appearances and they way one should or shouldn’t look, social media is manipulating society’s standards.

The Rise of Healthy Lifestyles May Be Evident, but it is Not Stopping Society From Danger

Jane Jakubczak, nutritionist at the University of Maryland, examines the new promotional advertising the health world has advocated. Many new types of “healthy” foods and exercise regimes are being introduced. People are searching for nutritionists and answers to get them on a healthy lifestyle. HIIT, the latest fast-paced exercise, has been proven to better ones health; so many are engaging in this workout routine.

While new diets and natural health remedies are thriving, many of them are falsely advertised. Not only that, much of society is having a hard time sticking to non-processed foods and bad fats. Society continues to go to restaurants and buy meals with dangerous products and substances. Consequently, society is still at danger for obesity. With so many overweight people, pressure to loose weight has heightened.

These Inaccurate Portrayals are Causing the Younger Generations to Develop Unhealthy Lifestyles and Put Themselves at Health Risks

Teenagers and young adults use social media constantly throughout the day. With so many photos and advertisements streaming, their minds are being bombarded with false accusations. Not only when a 16-year-old girl sees a Victoria’s Secret model wearing a t-strap bikini and not a ounce of fat on her, but also the immediate Instagram posts of friends on the beach can easily trigger her to feel a certain way. With so much misleading online marketing, many are becoming at risk, both physically and mentally.

Because there is so much pressure to look like the models portrayed on social media, many people, especially women, are developing serious health problems. What starts out small can eventually become a much bigger problem. When women witness such mal-nutritional women on an ad, they think they should be doing the same. This causes people to decrease her food intake, eliminating many necessary nutrients for one to stay active. It is also proven that once a person witnesses someone else in a more fit state than you, that person begins to exercise with more intensity and more frequently. While this may be a positive thing, without the correct nutrients, she is not truly getting the proper workout. This type of food restraint is leading to more serious problems. Disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are occurring too often in girls, according to Dr. Jakubczak. While causes of this can be situations in ones environment or genetics, much of this has to do with today’s excessive use of social media and what is being published daily.

Restrictions Must be Put Into Place Regarding Social Media, Along With Better Education Concerning Nutrition For Children

It is time for the Government to get involved in the social media world. Although we as Americans have the right to exercise our first amendment, guidelines must be put into place on what can and cannot be posted onto social media. Advertisements should have guidelines it must follow in order to accurately reflect the audience that is viewing it.

Additionally, Dr. Jakubczak suggests that schools should begin to educate children at a young age on the proper diet and nutrition. Not only children, but also parents must become more aware of what should and should not be served at the dinner table. If a child grows up with a healthy lifestyle, they will develop into a wholesome person and not have to worry about falling into a dangerous path. Overall, the rise of social media has had many positive and negative aspects to society. The inaccurate portrayal of body images are hurting society, and should be monitored.