More than ever, we are surrounded by images of other people. Instagram, Snapchat, Zoom, Facebook, Grindr, Tinder – we are constantly absorbing images of others. On the one hand, these platforms help us stay connected. There’s no denying you probably know way more about the people you went to high school with than you would’ve without the apps.
On the other hand, this overflow of images (which are increasingly manipulated and edited) can have a serious impact on our own body image and overall self-esteem.
Body Soap and Body Image
Almost 20 years ago, a body soap company helped us start talking about the images we consume. That’s right, body soap. The Dove company, which makes moisturizing everything (soap, shampoo, lotions, etc), launched its “Real Beauty” campaign. They featured spots which highlighted how advertisers morph images of already-beautiful models for their campaigns.
The ads gained both national and international attention, because, lo and behold, here was the beauty industry telling on itself. Unfortunately however, Dove’s efforts barely made a dent in the problem. In fact, there was something else that happened that year which made the problem way worse. In 2004, a guy named Mark started a different company in his college dorm room – Facebook.
Body Soap and Body Image
Almost 20 years ago, a body soap company helped us start talking about the images we consume. That’s right, body soap. The Dove company, which makes moisturizing everything (soap, shampoo, lotions, etc), launched its “Real Beauty” campaign. They featured spots which highlighted how advertisers morph images of already-beautiful models for their campaigns.
The ads gained both national and international attention, because, lo and behold, here was the beauty industry telling on itself. Unfortunately however, Dove’s efforts barely made a dent in the problem. In fact, there was something else that happened that year which made the problem way worse. In 2004, a guy named Mark started a different company in his college dorm room – Facebook.
Social Media to the Beauty Industry: Hold My beer
With the onset of social media, regular people took the techniques which the beauty industry had been implementing for decades, and started using them at home. Now, instead of fashion companies and beauty brands pushing unrealistic standards for physical perfection, it was us.
“But I don’t edit my pictures!” – you might be thinking. Ok fine, maybe you’re not a wizard on Facetune, but let’s be real – you probably have a few tricks up your sleeve. For every selfie, group photo, or travel pic we post, there might be another 10 photos in our phone which never made the cut. No matter how real you think you keep it, technology has transformed the way we present ourselves to the world.
Think about it: back in the day when you had to go to the pharmacy to buy film for your camera, you got one shot. You packed everyone into the frame, yelled “say cheese” and you took one photo. One. That’s it. If someone’s eyes were closed, or if you were featuring a double or triple chin, that was that. You wouldn’t usually find out until weeks later when you went back to the same pharmacy to get your photos developed.
Zoom Dysmorphia
So like we mentioned, unrealistic beauty standards have been around for a long time. The beauty industry has been messing with our body image for many decades. The onset of social media, however, took that trend and put it on steroids.
One platform that we might not usually consider when we think “social media” is Zoom, the virtual meeting tool. A few weeks ago, Trevor Noah of The Daily Show did a segment on something called Zoom Dysmorphia. Viewers learned that the front-facing cameras many of us have been using since last year’s pandemic actually distort our faces. They can make our noses look bigger, and our eyes smaller. On top of that, people who use Zoom often might be spending their entire working day looking at a live shot of themselves. This is a great recipe for making many of us more insecure about how we look.
All the Filters
Another technological feature that Noah touched on during his segment were photo filters. These have become ubiquitous. Stand-alone apps like Facetune allow people to add an effect on a selfie which improves the way we look with the push of a button. But applying a filter so easily can also happen on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook now. Even modern smartphones allow you to automatically apply a filter to a photo.
But, if a filter makes me look cuter in a photo, then why is that bad for my self-esteem? Well, here’s the problem: this technology has become so advanced that many filters are intended to fool you into thinking they’re not there. It can be hard for the untrained eye to spot a filtered photo.
This means that your co-worker, your cousin, even your ex might be applying filters to photos to make themselves look better, and you might not even realize it. After a while, it starts to feel like everyone around us is getting more and more “perfect” while we just age and our looks wither. This, in turn, can wreak havoc on our body image and our self-esteem.
Kids These Days
Social media and other forms of technology can really mess with the confidence of even the most mature and secure functioning adults. Now, imagine growing up with this stuff. Kids these days have never known a world where having an online presence wasn’t a perceived requirement for a social or professional life.
Among all the seriously worrisome effects that social media can have on adolescents, self-esteem and body image issues are some of the worst. Think about it: the previous generation had to deal with dangerously skinny models on billboards and washboard abs in magazine ads. This generation absorbs that same stuff whenever they go on their phones, which they do… a lot.
It’s not just body image issues that teens are experiencing at a higher rate, either. Social media inherently presents a glorified version of people. We post when we travel, go to nice restaurants, or when we’re surrounded by people we enjoy. Few of us want to publish about changing our baby’s diaper or a photo from our last fight with our partner. Kids are growing up in a world where everyone has the chance to portray a perfect life. Is it any wonder that rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety among teens have increased considerably?
Snapchat Dysmorphia
Another disturbing trend among teenagers is something therapists have started referring to as “Snapchat Dysmorphia”. The apps that so many adolescents are engaging with all the time have built-in photo and video filters. Snapchat in particular encourages people to alter their appearance with this technology.
Here’s what’s happened though… A lot of people, both teenagers and adults, have started to like what they see. A person might be confident in their appearance, but when that new Snapchat filter shows you what you would look like with a smaller nose, a slimmer face, or better skin, it can feel pretty good. Unfortunately, you don’t get to use that filter when you look in your bathroom mirror. Plastic surgeons across the country have started reporting that individuals, sometimes as young as 13, are coming to their offices asking to look more like they do in these altered photos of themselves.
The Fight to Stop Social Media’s Influence on Self-Esteem and Body Image
Fortunately, more and more people are paying attention to the impact that social media and technology have on body image and self-esteem. Recently, celebrities have started to publish side-by-side comparisons of photographs. These help followers understand how different a person can actually look from the idealized and edited photos that are presented online.
Are You Struggling With Your Own Body Image or Self-Esteem?
Do you find yourself obsessing about a particular imperfection in your body? Do you get frustrated when you don’t look so great in pictures? Perhaps you’re experiencing these issues and haven’t yet realized it.
Body image issues can start off subtly. Do you wonder if you’re experiencing these? If so, social media can actually be quite informative. Observe your thoughts and emotions as you engage with platforms like Zoom, Instagram, or Facebook. Do you spend a lot of time in Zoom meetings contemplating the best angle for your camera? Does scrolling through Insta or Tinder leave you feeling envious, deflated, or frustrated?
If any of these resonate with you, then you might be dealing with body image issues.
The Fight to Stop Social Media’s Influence on Self-Esteem and Body Image
Fortunately, more and more people are paying attention to the impact that social media and technology have on body image and self-esteem. Recently, celebrities have started to publish side-by-side comparisons of photographs. These help followers understand how different a person can actually look from the idealized and edited photos that are presented online.
Are You Struggling With Your Own Body Image or Self-Esteem?
Do you find yourself obsessing about a particular imperfection in your body? Do you get frustrated when you don’t look so great in pictures? Perhaps you’re experiencing these issues and haven’t yet realized it.
Body image issues can start off subtly. Do you wonder if you’re experiencing these? If so, social media can actually be quite informative. Observe your thoughts and emotions as you engage with platforms like Zoom, Instagram, or Facebook. Do you spend a lot of time in Zoom meetings contemplating the best angle for your camera? Does scrolling through Insta or Tinder leave you feeling envious, deflated, or frustrated?
If any of these resonate with you, then you might be dealing with body image issues.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
There are a number of things you can do to improve your relationship with your own body and foster some more self-esteem. Of all these options, however, therapy is undoubtedly one of the most effective. Working with a qualified counselor who can help you identify triggers, emotional processes, and behaviors around body image can be a game-changer.
There’s a particular type of counseling which is particularly well-suited for improving self-esteem: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. No other form of therapy has been studied and verified more than CBT, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
CBT in Fort Lauderdale
As a CBT counselor, helping clients work through self-esteem issues is one of my absolute favorite pursuits. Perhaps you’re interested in in-person sessions at my Fort Lauderdale office, or you’re remote and would like to work together via tele-therapy. In either case, I know we can do some great work together.
To steal a line from another soap company, I can help you “love the skin you’re in”. Contact me today for your free consultation and to get started.
You Know That Nagging, Voice of Self-Doubt in Your Head? Tell It to Shut Up.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas in her office in downtown, and also through telehealth counseling via online video and phone sessions. She also provides coaching services to clients throughout the country via online video and phone sessions. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
