Teens are usually very excited and curious about the use of social media. They get to know new people, explore sources of entertainment, and most of all, share everything with their friends there. This sharing can cause them trouble which they don’t realize at the moment. One of the issues they can face over there is body shaming and it is becoming a common practice now to humiliate other people.
Teens who tend to spend more time on social media are more likely to develop an eating disorder. Recent research states that only 30 minutes of social media a day can increase teens’ feelings of anxiety, poor self-image, loneliness, and stress. A poor self-image can lead to an eating disorder. Parents often realize it after the time has passed. However, the right use of parental control techniques can aid them in knowing things before they get worse.
Another recent study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders reported that 52% of girls and 45% of boys are seen skipping meals and doing strict exercise. Among these, a total of 76% of girls and 69% of boys had at least one social media account, most commonly Instagram.
It was observed that it was not constricted to only one social media platform. Girls who were prone to eating disorder were more likely to use Tumblr and Snapchat, while boys also used Snapchat, but were more active on Instagram and Facebook.
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What Are the Causes of Eating Disorders?
Multiple factors can lead to destructive eating habits in teens. These factors can be biological, psychological, and environmental depending upon what triggered them the most in different scenarios.
People suffering from bulimia, anorexia, obsession over self-image, binge eating, and feelings of shame towards their body image are mostly obsessed with these thoughts. They start counting calories, exercising excessively, binge eating until they feel that they are good enough to be appreciated. With multiple factors like family and friends influencing this behavior, social media is often at the top of the list.
Social Media’s Effect on Eating Disorders
Social media alone cannot play the sole role in inducing an eating disorder, but it can fuel the individuals to engage themselves in these thought patterns. According to research, ‘media is a causal risk factor for the development of eating disorders’. It has a strong influence on eating patterns, kids’ dissatisfaction with their bodies, and poor self-concept.
With the increasing use of social media, it is difficult to avoid the ‘ideal body type’ that everyone encourages and appreciates. This is all man-made but it has become a standard for the beauty and thus a source of humiliating anyone.
Kids like to post everything on social media. They have friends there, some new and some old, so they share everything with them to have a colorful life where people can comment and like their posts. But it doesn’t happen this way.
Sometimes it is a friend with a grudge or a people with their opinions who comment harshly on those posts and photos about body image. Social media invites everyone to comment as per they like and so they do despite knowing that it can have a strong impact on the kids who are on the other side of the phone. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, ‘65% of people with eating disorders say that bullying has contributed to their condition.’
How to Avoid Body-Shaming Using Social Media?
Everywhere you go, there are positive and negative things that you will face. The same is the case with social media. Either you can enjoy here, or you can ruin yourself by stressing over the things that aren’t real. Here is what kids can do to avoid body-shaming:
1. Unfollow
It is all in your hands, you can make or break friends on social media. There are no restrictions on who should be friends with. If you are friends with or following people who are constantly teasing you, or are used to post their exercise routines and brag about or comment harshly about your body image, just unfollow them and be free. Make a safe and enjoyable environment for yourself with your friends and family who are your well-wishers.
2. Unplug
There is always time for more activities. If you are too exhausted about the things you are facing on social media, just unplug it, put the phone down, and go outside with your friends. You can do meditation, play some outdoor, do anything that pleases you. You can always sign off from your accounts, deactivate for some time and live your life freely.
3. Unwind
Live in the moment. If you see yourself indulging in poor eating habits, find out the cause. If it is social media, unplug it, and focus on your food for a few days. Don’t ruin your real-life experiences because of a bunch of people you haven’t even met yet. Replace your time on social media with healthy activities and enjoy your time.
What Can Parents Do?
Parents have every right to be worried about the mental and physical health of their kids. Especially when kids get indulged in dangerous eating habits, it can cause them to worry. But there is always a way out of these things.
Kids are young and impulsive especially when it comes to the use of social media. It is their right that they should be taught about the right use of their social media accounts. Teach them about who should they trust, and how serious should they take things over there.
Moreover, along with regular discussions, parents can use parental control apps to make sure their kids are safe over the internet. Sometimes they don’t tell about the sufferings they are going through, in that condition, it is wise to know things on your own. You can always help them deal with situations in a better way.
