What impact does social media have on teen body image? While social media has many perks, some social media messages about appearance are not always positive. Although the information has never been more accessible, social media can be harmful to a teen’s developing body image. But teen counseling can help your child look past these images and maintain a healthy relationship with their body.
Targeted Marketing Negatively Affects a Teen’s Body Image
From ad agencies to “influencers”, social media marketing can be very persuasive. My generation saw the advent of wide-spread photoshopping. Magazines pushed unrealistic body images. Now the consumed material is digital and even more accessible. Each day teens see hundreds of posts and videos from celebrities, athletes, influencers, and wannabe celebrities. Marketing executives identify which stars teens follow and pay them to advertise their products. Some of these targeted ads are harmful, such as “flat tummy teas” or “appetite-suppressing lollipops” (these products are frequently hawked by the Kardashians). These “diet supplements” are designed to look appealing but are diuretics or contain other harmful substances that can cause younger teens to have serious medical issues. Teens should be aware that the products promoted by their favorite celebrity may be extremely unhealthy. It’s highly unlikely that the celebrity is using these products.
Edited Images Don’t Portray Healthy Body Images
An increasing number of people have access to editing technology. Anybody can distort images by downloading certain apps. Facetune is just one of such retouching tools for editing an image into unrealistic proportions. Retouching isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if an influential figure passes off an unattainable image as real, teens can begin to feel bad about their own appearance. When over-editing images become the norm, teens may beat themselves up over real-life imperfections and blemishes. Real-life isn’t like Instagram, but reality becomes blurred when teens are inundated with unrealistic images on social media.
Social media can be a great tool to connect with friends and family, but it can be hard to keep a positive view of yourself when the images we see online aren’t always real. Teens and adults can be easily swept up in making unfavorable comparisons to the images we are exposed to on our favorite social media apps.
Teen counseling can help
If you are concerned about your teen’s body image or self-esteem, have a conversation about the accounts they are following online. We are also here to help teens build confidence and self-esteem. We can all use the reminder that self-worth is independent of appearance.
Begin Teen Counseling in the Atlanta Area
If you are concerned that your teen may be struggling with maintaining a healthy body image, our teen therapists in Rosewell, GA can help. Counseling provides young adults with a safe space to express their concerns and feelings. To begin teen counseling in the Atlanta area, please follow these steps,
- Contact our therapy clinic in Rosewell, GA to schedule an appointment,
- Meet with one of Wellview’s talented teen therapists
- Begin teen therapy and give your teen the tools they need to thrive.
Other Services offered at Wellview Counseling:
Wellview counseling, an Atlanta area counseling clinic offers a variety of therapeutic services to help you or your loved one find emotional healing. Ultimately, our mission is to promote healing and growth. Our counseling services include PTSD and trauma treatment, play therapy, child counseling, individual counseling, social skills groups for kids, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education opportunities. If you cannot come to our Atlanta area counseling clinic, but live in the state of Georgia, we would like to encourage you to think about online therapy for you or your child with one of our counselors. Contact our counseling clinic to learn more about the many ways Wellview Counseling can help you find inner peace.
About the Author
Emily is one of the caring therapists at Wellview Counseling. If you suspect your child has concerns about body image or are otherwise concerned about their mental health, Emily would be glad to help.
[…] of social media, teens are spending less with others in person. Further, in the summer months, when school is out […]