The Relationship between Social Media & a Young Woman's Body Image
Social media has managed to capture and set society's beauty ideals, newest sensations and the latest trends. How do these very ideals, standards, and trends translate to the young women of today's society? What does the media tell us about our bodies? How does the media influence us to wear certain clothes, and fit ourselves into certain boxes?
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Executive Summary
This research project was conducted in effort to understand the relationship between social media and its influence on the overall well-being of young women. This range of “well-being” that is intended to be explored is of young women’s mental health and perception of the ideal body image.
The intended audience for this project are young women, typically 18 years old or older. Although, it would be greatly beneficial if this research reached women of various ages, especially younger girls who are entering a society relatively authorized by social media’s perception of the “ideal” shape and appearance of a young woman. To gather proper data for this project, surveys and a thematic analysis were conducted.
Surveying: Surveys were conducted and collected through Google Forms with 13 questions, a mix of open-ended and close-ended questions. There was criteria for participants to participate; female who is 19-24 years old. Potential participants were contacted through D2L Classlist, GroupMe, personal text, and social media (Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter). Approximately 352 potential participants were reached. 71 out of these 352 potential participants completed the survey.
Thematic Analysis: An analysis of the most popular (considered “top” posts) social media posts were conducted over 3 platforms (Tiktok, Pinterest, and Instagram) and under two hashtags (#fitspiration and #fashion) to analyze the body image most favorable in today’s media and how this message may influence the way female users feel about themselves. About 30 posts were analyzed and coded, using the following criteria: view the first 5 platform categorized “top” posts on each platform for each hashtag and record the first 10 textual comments written by users that appear to be female.
Research Question: "How can comparing posts viewed on social media affect young women's relationship with their mental health as well as their body perception?"
Answer: A strong majority of participants related negative perceptions regarding their life after using social media and those who described their social media experience as "okay" still reported less than beneficial results from their social media.
Research Question: "What is the ideal woman's body often portrayed on social media? And how do users respond to this image?"
Answer: Overall, an overwhelming percentage of the top social media posts analyzed showed the "ideal" body image of a skinny (thin), petite figure and little diversity in users. Comments made from viewers had recurring themes of bitterness, insecurity, self-dissatisfaction, as well as positivity towards user who posted.
Researcher's Note
You Are Beautiful, Always!
I hope this project may be enlightening to young women, as well as everyone, that social media should be taken with a grain of salt. Social media, though used by millions, often doesn't share every story, lifestyle, or body figure.
Take care of you mental health and know that you are beautifully vibrant in the skin you are in!
- Chloe J.