If social media never existed, would you perceive yourself as 10 lbs thinner? That’s a dumb question, right? Yet, social media is the leading factor of body dysmorphia among teenagers. The federal age of restriction should be raised to at least 16. Every day, millions of teens scroll through their feeds, bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards that just cause self-doubt and insecurity. Studies have shown that frequent social media use may lead to a significant increase in dissatisfaction with one’s body, anxiety, and depression (National Institutes of Health). The Government must take action by federally changing the age of access to social media to 16 to protect the mental health of teens.
From a personal standpoint, I’ve seen firsthand how social media warps self-image. Teenagers (especially young girls) constantly compareing themselves to edited and photoshopped images that set impossible standards to compare themselves to. The pressure to conform to these standards is relentless, leading to unhealthy behaviors like eating disorders or over-exercising. Billie Eilish, a global phenomenon, has also spoken out about this issue. In an interview with The Guardian, she admitted how social media has negatively impacted her body image.” I know the ins and outs of this industry, and what people actually use in photos, and I actually know what looks real can be fake,” she said. “Yet I still see it and go, ‘Oh God.’ That makes me feel really bad,” she said. She also revealed that she has to “disassociate from the ideas I have of [her] body” when performing on stage (ABC News). If a world-famous singer feels this way because of social media, then what does that say for everyday teens with far less support?
Critics might argue that social media can be used positively by allowing teens to stay connected with friends and family, access useful information, or find support for any problems they face. But the damage that social media causes outweighs the positives. Even if a teen follows an account that is body positive, the algorithm on that app will still show teens unattainable beauty standards. Research published in Frontiers in Public Health found that adolescents who spend significant time on social media report higher levels of body dissatisfaction, often related to a constant exposure to altered pictures. While taking a break from social media can offer temporary relief, it still doesn’t erase absurd beauty standards that have already affected and burdened the lives of our youth. Still, the effects of being exposed sticks with us, making it hard to shrug off negative comparisons that cross our minds. Because social media is so accessible, especially to teens, that it causes comparison and self-hatred, that’s a mindset difficult to grow out of.
The reality is that the government has regulated age restrictions for other things that are proven to harm mental health, like smoking, drinking, and gambling. So why is social media any different? If studies and personal examples always show that social media is harming the mental health of teens, then raising the age requirement for social media is the logical answer. Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid have also opened up about the toxic effects of social media. The overall message is that they urge young people to take breaks for their well-being. This may seem as merely a small personal problem yet no one realizes that it’s a growing crisis and that needs immediate action.
It’s time to take action. Government officials must make the mental health of teens a top priority by passing federal age restrictions for social media access. Raising the minimum age to 16 would give teens more time to develop a sense of self-worth and confidence before being exposed to the unrealistic and absurd expectations depicted online. The mental health of an entire generation is at stake. Spread the word!
Works Cited
Ateq, Khadijah, et al. “The Association Between Use of Social Media and the Development of Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgeries: A National Survey.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 12, 2024, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324092/full.
G;, Laughter MR; Anderson JB; Maymone MBC; Kroumpouzos. “Psychology of Aesthetics: Beauty, Social Media, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.” Clinics in Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 5 Mar. 2023, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36882132/.
“Social Media Filters Are Changing the Way Young Girls See Themselves.” BBC News, 10 Nov. 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-59231156
Stone, Megan. “Billie Eilish Talks Social Media’s Influence on Her Body Image Insecurities.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 2 Aug. 2021, abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/billie-eilish-talks-social-medias-influence-body-image/story?id=79215783
Yasharoff, Hannah. “Selena Gomez Says Social Media Made Her Feel That She ‘Wasn’t Pretty Enough’.” ABC News, 4 Apr. 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/selena-gomez-social-media-made-feel-wasnt-pretty/story?id=82134052
