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Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image - effects on the psyche?

Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image Picture Nr.: 1319951
Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image
©: melancholiaphotography on Pixabay

Teens in social media - the lie of beautiful appearances and its psychological consequences

When Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" appeared in 1890, neither Wilde nor his contemporaries could have guessed how much the idea of a second, more beautiful self-manifested itself in modern social media almost 130 years later. However, the signs were reversed. While Dorian Gray always remained beautiful and young in the novel, his portrait aged.

In the reality of the digital age, it is the images of people that always appear beautiful and attractive thanks to appropriate image editing. Still, the "real" person must be satisfied with their appearance in the mirror and their existing shortcomings. But the constant comparison can bring consequences of a harmful kind. This is especially evident among female teenagers who take the beautiful appearance of Instagram and Co. at face value.

Does anyone who wants to be beautiful have to suffer?

The younger generations have a far larger circle of friends in the digital world than in the real world. For example, 500 or even more friends on Facebook and dozens of followers on Instagram. However, most of these digital acquaintances are not friends whom the account holder of the respective social medium has ever actually met. Leave alone established a real friendship. Likely, acquaintances in the digital world would not recognize each other if they met by chance in the flesh. This is partly because many social media users "beautify" themselves digitally before posting a selfie.

Instagram, in particular, shines here with built-in image editing that conjures up silky-smooth skin, big eyes, and a slim body, depending on the user's wishes. More and more teenagers want to look like their role models from the glittering media world. This does no longer include actresses and music icons but also female bloggers and Internet influencers. These idols work with tricks from the box of image editing software that seems to be studiously overlooked. Many teenagers also have a pretty high potential for self-denial when it comes to their own person. But this constant comparison between the analog and digital world leads to mental conflicts.

Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image Picture Nr.: 4017257
Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image | ©: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

Study on social networks and the psyche of young people

Of course, it is impossible to generalize that all social media have a detrimental effect on young people's mental health. To find out more, the British health organization, the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), and the Young Health Movement (YHM). Those three organizations are a coalition of English organizations that advocate for the health and well-being of young people, conducted a study at the beginning of 2017.

This study, called "Status of Mind," roughly translated as "state of mind," is about the positive and negative effects of social media on the mental health of adolescents and young adults (study "Status of mind" download as PDF, fascinating, unfortunately entirely in English).

For this purpose, almost 1500 young people between the ages of 14 and 24 were explicitly questioned, or better said, they were asked to give an assessment, i.e., somewhat positive or somewhat negative. The survey was based on 14 questions about health and well-being and how the social media used by young people affected them. The questions were compiled beforehand by a team of experts. For example:

"How does your social media affect your self-identity?"

or

"How does social media affect your relationships in the real world?"

Based on the results of these ratings by the 1500 young people, RSPH and YHM created, among other things, a ranking of the most popular social media and their effect on young people. The clear winner with the most positive ratings was YouTube. This is hardly surprising, as the video platform offers a colorful mix of entertainment and information without looking too deeply into the user's soul.

Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image Picture Nr.: 1233873
Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image
©: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

The loser was just as precise. Instagram landed in the last place in the rankings, followed by Snapchat in second-to-last place.

Shirley Cramer, one of the directors of the RSPH, on the study and its findings: "Young people described social media as a drug with stronger effects than alcohol or cigarettes. Social Media is so ingrained in young people's lives that they need to be involved in health issues of a mental nature. - The very fact why Instagram and Snapchat ended up in the last place. In many cases, they trigger feelings of inadequacy and even anxiety among young people with the image cultivating of their clientele."

At the same time, RSPH and YHM leaders also emphasize the positive sides of social media. Especially today, in a world where many parents hardly have time to communicate in-depth with their children, the platforms can mediate existing problems. For example, many young people are more willing to ask questions online of a personal nature that only a professionally trained medical professional can answer.

Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image Picture Nr.: 4017259
Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image | ©: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

Modern media and yesterday's self-image

The dangers posed to the psyche of young women by Instagram or Snapchat are also linked to an outdated view of the world. This, in turn, is shown by a study conducted by the MaLisa Foundation (in German language) on gender portrayal on social media. The female role models and the influencers mainly serve the cliché of the woman who makes herself pretty, maybe does some handicrafts, sews, or cooks. More amazingly, even, they do it all within her own four walls, in the comfort of her own home. The bad thing is that the followers of the influencers want precisely that. Successful female Youtubers, when asked about it, say themselves that another subject area has no chance of success. For example, if Bianca Heinicke and her YouTube channel BibisBeautyPalace (the name says it all) were to start repairing cars or rating online games, she would quickly disappear into insignificance.

The question now arises as to where such a thing comes from

In 1918, the right to vote for women was enshrined in law in Germany. On the other hand, the Equal Rights Act was not passed until 1957 and came into force a year later. This was a law in which the man still had a lot to say. Until 1977, for example, a husband in Germany could still forbid his wife to take a job.

Strictly speaking, then, equal rights have only existed for about 50 years. That is not even two generations to wipe away the image of the "home at the hearth." Modern social media are of no use here because it is still deeply ingrained in people's minds that women must please and nothing else. In this respect, Instagram only serves what is demanded, which does not mean it is good.

Conclusion:

The permanent comparison with others in the social media area causes depression in many young people. Fears arise because one cannot hold a candle to these "other people" regarding lifestyle and appearance. Others present themselves so perfectly that you feel like "Cinderella." This fashion and body cult harms the self-confidence of many young people, which has not yet been sufficiently consolidated.

Less is more - less social media - more quality of life

An American research team conducted an exciting experiment ( No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression). One group was allowed to use social media as before. The other group got only 10 minutes per platform per day, a maximum of 30 minutes together.

After three weeks, participants were asked about their mental health, such as fear of missing out, loneliness, worry, depression, self-esteem. The results were clear-cut. Those who had spent less time on social media suffered significantly less anxiety. They suffered less depression, had better self-esteem and felt less loneliness. Their well-being had increased considerably.

Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image Picture Nr.: 3762538
Teenies in social media - influence of Instagram and Co. on teeny's self-image | ©: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

Implementation of the topic "Teenagers in social media and the effects on their self-image and psyche" regarding youth work.

Suppose the adult youth leaders are firmly ingrained in social media platforms. In that case, it naturally becomes more difficult to credibly convey the effects of too much social media to young people.

Nevertheless - and perhaps because of this - you could start a conversation with the young people.

  • Why do we spend so much time on various social media platforms?

  • What does the constant comparison with others do to you? What thoughts and feelings come up in you?

  • How can we succeed in teaching children "you are who you are," "you are unique and valuable," and "comparing yourself with others is not necessary"? How can we succeed in gaining self-confidence and achieving better self-esteem?

  • Do I have to be like the others? Look like them? Live like this or that? Am I who I am, or am I just a puppet who is "controlled" and influenced by others? Do I form my own opinion, or is it indoctrinated into me?

Just by thinking about the possible adverse effects, you can create a more conscious approach to social media. And maybe it will be possible to consciously spend less time on social media to find a better quality of life.

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