Let’s be honest: Those girls aren’t really feeling short, chubby, or unattractive when hanging out with friends. However, they often shy away from group photos because they can’t shake the anxiety of how they’ll be perceived online later. It’s a bit disheartening, isn’t it? And it’s not exactly shocking when you consider findings from a recent study in the Psychology of Women Quarterly, which revealed that young women who spend significant time on social media are more likely to compare themselves to others and engage in self-objectification, leading to a major dip in self-esteem.
According to the researchers, “Our study indicates that increased Facebook usage correlates with heightened self-objectification among young women. This is particularly influenced by their tendency to compare their looks with others, especially peers on Facebook.”
The study surveyed 150 females aged 17 to 25, asking how much time they devoted to different media platforms, including Facebook, fashion magazines, television, and music videos. They also explored how often these women compared their appearances to various groups on Facebook—think older photos of themselves, family, friends, and even celebrities.
The results? Those who spent two hours or more daily on Facebook were significantly more likely to self-objectify, scrutinizing their own images. Interestingly, other media forms, like TV or casual internet surfing, didn’t show such a strong connection. As the researchers noted, “This research underscores some of the potential negative impacts Facebook may have on young women’s body image. It offers ample opportunities for self-comparisons—possibly more than in real life—and when comparing oneself to photos of their prior selves, it can lead to an intense focus on specific body parts.”
On a personal note, my daughter recently pointed out that her fingers looked “fat.” Yes, her fingers! “Look at these other girls’ hands,” she exclaimed, shoving her phone in my face, displaying a gallery of perfectly manicured nail selfies. “See how their fingers are long and skinny? Mine are just short and stubby.” Before I could respond, she added, “But it’s fine; I’ll just use Thinify and Facetune to make mine look better.” Welcome to 2015, right?
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In summary, social media, particularly Facebook, can lead young women to engage in harmful self-comparisons, impacting their body image and self-esteem. Encouraging open conversations and promoting body positivity can help counteract these negative effects.