The Dangers of Social Media: How It Contributes to Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues
Written by CCTC Staff Writer
It's no secret that social media is a huge part of our lives. In fact, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, social media usage among adults in the United States has increased from 5% in 2005 to 72% in 2022. An estimated nine hours are spent on social media, according to Common Sense Media. What may not be so obvious, however, is the negative impact that social media can have on our mental health.
Read on to learn more about the dangers of social media and how it contributes to eating disorders and body image issues.
Does social media cause eating disorders?
No, social media use is not the sole cause of someone developing an eating disorder. However, the use of social media can contribute to the development of disordered thoughts and behaviors with a strong link found between eating disorders and social media use. For those who may already be struggling with an eating disorder or are predisposed to develop an eating disorder, social media can be a catalyst to developing unhealthy thoughts around weight, body image, and eating.
What makes social media so dangerous?
There are a few things about social media that can be harmful to our mental health. Here are a few ways it may contribute to the prevalence of eating disorders and body image issues:
1) Unregulated Dieting Advice
Social media apps provide a platform that allows anyone to reach a large audience. Many people that are unqualified such as self-proclaimed health coaches or health gurus may be sharing dangerous and unhealthy dieting or weight management tips that can reach young impressionable minds. These toxic messages around food and weight can trigger a heightened awareness around what one is eating or experimenting with disordered behaviors.
2) Unrealistic Body Image
One of the dangers of social media is that it can contribute to the development of body image issues. Social media puts pressure on young people to look perfect. Constantly seeing images of "perfect" bodies can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. This can be especially harmful to those who are already struggling with an eating disorder or body image issues.
3) Feelings of Loneliness
Another danger of social media is that it can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation. With so much time spent on social media, there is less time for face-to-face interaction. For those who are struggling with an eating disorder, this can be especially harmful as they may turn to restricting, purging or binging to cope with uncomfortable feelings.
4) Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when someone is bullied or harassed online. This can include being teased, called names, or having rumors spread about them. Cyberbullying can be especially harmful because it can happen 24 hours a day and it can be very difficult to escape from. For those who are struggling with an eating disorder or body image issues, cyberbullying can be very harmful and can trigger disordered thoughts and behaviors. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, two-thirds of people with an eating disorder say that bullying contributed to their illness.
5) Highlight Reel
Social media is a highlight reel of people's lives. We only see the best parts of people's day, the parts they want us to see. This can lead us to believe that everyone else's life is perfect and that we are the only ones struggling or experiencing hardships. This is not true! Everyone has struggles, but social media doesn't show that. For those who are struggling with an eating disorder or body image issues, this can be very harmful and trigger disordered thoughts and behaviors.
What can be done to make social media less triggering?
While avoiding social media entirely would be an ideal response, it is not a realistic solution. Luckily, there are ways to make using social media a less toxic and triggering place.
1) Discuss Social Media & It's Impact
If you are a parent, it may be helpful to have an open discussion with your child about social media. You may want to ask if they ever feel pressured to look a certain way, if they compare themselves to others, or are experiencing cyberbullying. Remind them that social media is a highlight reel and that heavily edited photos are not what they "should" look like. If you are not a parent, you can bring up the topic with a good friend to get their perspective. Many people do not discuss this topic but are affected by it as well. You may also bring this up with your therapist to discuss the ways social media affects you.
2) Limit Time Spent on Social Media
Whether you are a parent looking to support your child, or you are in recovery yourself, setting limits around phone use can help with disconnecting from social media. Set a few hours a day where you leave your phone in another room or shut it off. Experiment with an hour or two to start to see how it feels. You can also set limits on your phone to alert you when you have hit a certain amount of minutes or hours on a specific app like Instagram or TikTok.
3) Unfollow Triggering Accounts
It can be hard to avoid triggering content if it is coming from accounts we follow. Unfollowing accounts or people that share content that is difficult for you to see is a powerful step to protecting yourself. It is someone you know, you can mute their posts so you no longer have to see the content without unfollowing them. On Instagram, you can now block weight loss ads from appearing on your feed. To do this, follow the steps below:
Go to your profile
Choose the menu icon (upper right-hand corner)
Go to Settings
Tap Ads & then Ad topics
Search for “body weight control”
Click the topic
Select the "see less" option
4) Follow Positive Accounts
Similarly to removing triggering accounts and content, adding positive accounts and content to your feed can make using social media a place where you find inspiration, motivation, and connection. If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, explore engaging and following accounts or people who speak about body image and eating disorder recovery in a positive manner. For example, you can find Central Coast Treatment Center on Instagram here!
While avoiding social media completely may not be a feasible option, making a few shifts to how you use social media can make a big difference.
If you are looking for support to improve your body image or recover from an eating disorder, learn more about our holistic treatment programs. Contact us today if you want to discuss recovery.