How Big Data Recommendation Algorithms Reinforce Gendered Body Shaming

Xueyinuo Li

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.LC26348

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

How Big Data Recommendation Algorithms Reinforce Gendered Body Shaming

Research Article

Open Access

How Big Data Recommendation Algorithms Reinforce Gendered Body Shaming

Xueyinuo Li ^1*

¹ Hangzhou Foreign Language School Cambridge A-Level Center

^*Corresponding author: nora1976@163.com

Published on 27 August 2025

CHR Vol.76

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-146-4

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-284-3

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Abstract

With the rise of social media, the body shaming has evolved from occurring in personal interactions and traditional forms of media to being amplified by algorithm-driven social media platforms. The surge in self-image and beauty-centric social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, fueled by big data recommendation algorithms, significantly impacts users’ self-esteem and the construction of self-image by enforcing rigid beauty standards. This paper focuses on the effects of big data recommendation algorithms and beauty-obsessed and centric social media on body shaming and its psychological and social impacts, seeking solutions to counter the negative impacts of body shaming. The review integrates concepts from media studies, psychology, and computer science to analyze the impact of social media algorithm designs on user behavior and social norms. The findings underscore the need for an intentional shift in social media design, policy frameworks, and public discourse to foster social equity and combat discrimination in the digital environment.

Keywords:

Body shaming, Social media, Algorithmic bias, Big data recommendation algorithms, Algorithmic system design

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References

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References

[2]. Färber, M., Coutinho, M., & Yuan, S. (2023). Biases in scholarly recommender systems: impact, prevalence, and mitigation. Scientometrics, 128(5), 2703-2736.

[3]. Czubaj, N., Szymańska, M., Nowak, B., & Grajek, M. (2025). The Impact of Social Media on Body Image Perception in Young People. Nutrients, 17(9), 1455.

[5]. Brandtzaeg, P. B., & Lüders, M. (2018). Time collapse in social media: Extending the context collapse. Social Media+ Society, 4(1), 2056305118763349.

[10]. Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2017). The relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance-focused activities and body image concerns in young women. Body image, 23, 183-187.

[11]. Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current opinion in psychology, 9, 1-5.

[14]. Duffy, B. E., & Hund, E. (2019). Gendered visibility on social media: Navigating Instagram’s authenticity bind. International Journal of Communication, 13, 20.

[16]. Hardt, M., Price, E., & Srebro, N. (2016). Equality of opportunity in supervised learning. Advances in neural information processing systems, 29.

Cite this article

Li,X. (2025). How Big Data Recommendation Algorithms Reinforce Gendered Body Shaming. Communications in Humanities Research,76,19-24.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICADSS 2025 Symposium: Art, Identity, and Society: Interdisciplinary Dialogues

ISBN: 978-1-80590-146-4(Print) / 978-1-80590-284-3(Online)

Editor: Ioannis Panagiotou, Yanhua Qin

Conference website: https://2025.icadss.org/Lincoln.html

Conference date: 22 August 2025

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.76

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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