Posted December 18, 2014 in Blog
In the age of the “selfie” and perfectly-crafted online profiles, could social media be to blame for reduced confidence? Is social media affecting body image? According to research, it’s a likely culprit.
Glamour magazine recently conducted a survey to gauge how women’s body confidence has changed and what might be affecting it. Surveying 1,000 women, they found that 80% weren’t happy with their bodies when they look in the mirror. When compared to a similar study conducted by the magazine in the mid ’80s, the results show that modern women are becoming decreasingly satisfied with their appearance.
So, where is this coming from? According to those surveyed, it’s not the burning desire to look like a celebrity: women are comparing themselves to friends and family. A cultural obsession with social media is contributing to declined body image, with 64% of women reporting that looking at pictures on social sharing sites makes them feel bad about themselves.
While social media tempts us to compare ourselves with others, it’s important to remember that our online friends’ images are specifically chosen and edited to represent themselves online. As a plastic surgery practice, we understand the importance of self-esteem, and when we’re called on for help, our goal is to highlight what makes each of our patients beautiful and unique.
