The Impact of Social Media on Body Image

Yiwen Hu

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.KM28553

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

The Impact of Social Media on Body Image

Research Article

Open Access

The Impact of Social Media on Body Image

Yiwen Hu ^1*

¹ Zhengzhou Foreign Language School New Fengyang Campus

^*Corresponding author: bree20080209@outlook.com

Published on 28 October 2025

CHR Vol.92

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-481-6

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-482-3

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Abstract

Social media significantly influences body image (often negatively), through mechanisms like social comparison, particularly among young people who are exposed to idealized content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This paper reviews the impact of social media on body image. It also examined moderating factors such as gender and culture, as well as consequences including eating disorders and reduced self-esteem. Evidence suggests frequent exposure to body image related social media exacerbates dissatisfaction, with women and adolescents being particularly vulnerable. However, media literacy education is able to mitigate these effects. Current research lacks cross-cultural and longitudinal perspectives, necessitating further exploration. This study underscores the need for balanced social media use and interventions to foster healthier self-perception, offering insights for readers to learn more about its relationships with different platforms, ages, cultural backgrounds, and so forth , so as to reduce harmful idealized content and encourage readers to use social media in a more critical way.

Keywords:

social media, body image, body dissatisfaction, social comparison, psychological impact

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