How Social Media Has Impacted Beauty Standards

Social media has had a huge impact on the beauty standards of today’s society. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook have all played a part in influencing how people perceive beauty and how they view their own physical appearances.

Filters and Facetuning

The use of filters and photo-editing apps like Facetune have changed the way people view beauty. Filters can be used to alter a person’s appearance, making them appear slimmer, tanner, and more symmetrical. This has led to the popularity of “Instagram models” who use their platforms to promote unattainable standards of beauty.

Influencers and Advertisements

The wide variety of influencers on social media have had an immense impact on beauty standards. Influencers often post photos of themselves that are heavily edited and staged, creating unrealistic expectations for viewers. Additionally, influencers are often paid to endorse or advertise certain beauty products, making it appear as though these products are necessary in order to achieve a certain level of beauty.

The Impact on Mental Health

The unrealistic standards of beauty promoted by social media can have a detrimental effect on people’s mental health. Seeing photos of people who have been heavily edited and staged can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. It can also lead to body dysmorphia, an anxiety disorder in which a person becomes preoccupied with perceived flaws in their physical appearance.

Conclusion

It is clear that social media has had a huge impact on beauty standards and the way people view their own physical appearances. The use of filters, the wide variety of influencers, and the trend of influencers endorsing certain products have all played a part in changing the way people view beauty. Unfortunately, these standards can have a negative impact on people’s mental health, leading to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.