What Experts Say I

    According to a study looking at the relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance and body image concerns in young women, appearance focused social networking use was related to body image concerns. The research had 259 women participants between 18 and 29 years old who completed a questionnaire regarding social networking sites. The researchers found out that rather than social platforms used in general will impact poor body image, and the photo activities have a more significant impact on that matter. The respondents also linked Instagram appearance focused accounts to drive for thinness, thin-ideal internalisation and body surveillance. In contrast, neutral accounts that are not focused on appearance were not linked to body image perceptions. 

However,   the study has limitations as the participants were only women aged 18 and 29. Moreover, the research only talks about two social media platforms; therefore, we must be careful when generalising. To conclude, photos on social media have a significant impact on self-perception in young women.

References:

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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.10.002

Uifalean, A. (2019). Social Media [Illustration]. Lumen5. https://lumen5.com/learn/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/How-to-Master-Instagram-Live-Stream.jpg