Anyone who looks around on Instagram or TikTok will be flooded with dazzling ideals of beauty. These are often viewed as purely aesthetic or as a source of inspiration. But they leave deep scars on the souls of many young women. How harmful are these beauty ideals really? A current study provides information.
The digital mirror: What beauty really means
The way we perceive and define beauty has radically changed due to the rapid growth of social media. A quick scroll on Instagram or TikTok can affect self-esteem, especially when you see the constant stream of "perfect" bodies and faces. It's no longer just the look in the mirror that counts. It is the perception in the digital mirror of social media.
The Deep Impact: What the Study Reveals
Images and videos of seemingly perfect bodies have a negative impact on young women's self-image, according to a study from the University of New South Wales Study leader Jasmine Fardouly: “These ideal images put women under enormous pressure.” The effects of these digital images can be felt not only on an emotional level, but also on a physical level: girls as young as six show signs of dissatisfaction with their bodies.
The Quick Strike: The Frightening Speed of Influence
Perhaps most alarming is the speed at which these images can cause harm. Just 90 seconds was enough to affect the women's self-esteem and mood. At a time when speed is often seen as an advantage, this shows the dark side of the coin.
The search for a solution: Positive influences through diversity?
However, there is hope. The study suggests that content that challenges conventional beauty ideals and promotes body diversity could potentially have positive effects. The goal? A less harmful social media environment.
Fact check
| claim | Fact check |
| Ideals of beauty damage young women's sense of self | Confirmed by University of New South Wales study . |
| Girls as young as six are already dissatisfied with their bodies. | Confirmed by the statement of Jasmine Fardouly, Director of Studies at the University of New South Wales. |
| Just 90 seconds of looking at these images can be harmful. | Confirmed by the University of New South Wales study. |
| Social media is the most effective and dangerous place that promotes beauty ideals. | Statement by Jasmine Fardouly. However, further studies are needed to understand the overall connection between media and beauty ideals. |
| Diverse and unedited body images could have positive effects. | This is a hypothesis of the researchers that needs to be confirmed or refuted by future studies. |
Conclusion
Beauty ideals on social media undoubtedly have a profound impact on young women's self-image. While we recognize the power of these platforms, it is time for all of us to take responsibility and make a positive change. This means promoting diversity, showing realistic body images and helping young women feel more comfortable in their own skin.
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Source:
UNSW Sydney
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

