Facebook:
Comparing your profile to your friends’ may be more harmful to your self-esteem than exposure to other media such as television (Ferguson 2014). This emphasizes peer comparisons relation to body dissatisfaction. In other words, Facebook encourages peer comparison, and often in a negative light. The correlation between Facebook use and body image concern suggests that the amount of time spent comparing and judging peers can influence the way that you view your own body (Tiggemann 2013). A constant comparison between peers goes beyond the school environment and is spread throughout your everyday life through social media. Facebook allows you to see into the lives of thousands of people, and because it is only a glimpse, you may think that their life seems better than yours. One study looked at comments on Youtube style videos about weight. The teens that participated watched a clip and read the comments about the girl featured. Then they answered questions about their levels of body dissatisfaction, social comparison, and objectified body consciousness. Peer responses to the thin ideal image had the most negative influence on the participants’ own body image (Veldhuis 2014). The photos themselves did not have much effect until peers commented on them. A negative comment to a friend could really change the way that they view their body. In particular, when people have high levels of body dissatisfaction to begin with, comments by others can be extremely influential. Remember this when you are talking to your friends and peers. Follow us on Facebook for positive updates and information on eating disorders. |