Can Social Media be a Force for Good? The Impact of Body-Positive and Appearance-Neutral Posts

The devastating effects of social media on body image and self-esteem

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with others. However, its impact on our mental health and body image has become a growing concern. Studies have shown that social media can exacerbate negative feelings about our bodies and encourage comparisons with others, decreasing self-esteem and body confidence.

Yet, despite this knowledge, social media platforms dominate our lives, making it difficult to avoid these adverse effects. Fortunately, recent research has shown that following body-positive or appearance-neutral pages can positively impact our mental health and body image.

The study by Fardouly and colleagues, published in January 2023, investigated the effects of following body-positive and appearance-neutral Facebook groups on young women’s body image and mood. The results were promising, showing that participants who followed either group for 14 days had reduced levels of body dissatisfaction and a decreased tendency to compare themselves with others. These findings suggest that a micro-intervention, such as following positive or neutral social media accounts, can significantly impact…