Is Social Media Destroying Your Daughter’s Body Image?
As one of the biggest influences in our current culture, social media might be making your daughter feel bad about her body image every time she picks up her smartphone.
Let’s talk about it…
97% of American adolescents use the internet daily, with over a third admitting they spend too much time on social media and would struggle to give it up. Which makes sense when you learn that apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are designed to be addictive, and can cause obsessive use even when the user wants to quit or reduce their screen time.
That might not be news to you, but did you know that research shows 1 in 10 thoughts we have involve comparison? And that those who compare their appearance to the images on social media have a greater body dissatisfaction?
Social media can be harmful to all of us, but it can be especially devastating to young girls and adolescents. Nearly 50% of social media-active girls say they often or always worry about their bodies. And the numbers only get worse with age—at 13 years old, nearly half of American girls are already unhappy with their bodies, increasing to a whopping 80% by age 17.
Something that seems like innocent fun (social media) can be incredibly harmful when you take developing, impressionable brains and bombard them with filtered, edited, and curated images of perfection that encourage unrealistic body standards and body dissatisfaction.
And unfortunately, it doesn’t end there…
Studies link excessive social media use to higher rates of body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and even self-harm.
Not to mention, girls struggling with poor body image are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like restrictive dieting, obsessive exercise, and disordered eating. In some cases, these behaviors lead to long-term health risks, including nutrient deficiencies, weakened immune systems, chronic stress, and eating disorders.
So, what can we do?
While big tech and media companies need to be held accountable, parents have the most power to change this cycle. Here’s how:
Be a model, not just a rule-maker – Your children are watching how you talk about your body, food, and social media. If applicable, work on healing your own relationship with body image in an effort to help foster health relationships with food and body for your kids.
Delay the smartphone – The longer you wait to introduce social media, the better. Kids’ brains are still developing, making them highly vulnerable to unrealistic images.
Encourage breaks & set boundaries – Implement tech-free family time (dinner, bedtime, weekends, etc.). Encourage offline activities that build confidence.
Talk about the highlight reel effect – Social media is not real life. Have open conversations about how images are edited, filtered, and curated to look perfect.
Use parental controls wisely – Limit screen time, track usage, and discuss why certain content can be harmful to consume.
Click here to learn more about social media and body image.
The bottom line is,
Social media isn’t going anywhere, but we can change the way our children - especially our daughters - interact with it. By helping them build resilience, confidence, and critical thinking skills, we can equip them to navigate these platforms in a healthier way and we can break the cycle of comparison and body dissatisfaction that has trapped so many women for generations.
