Social media have become today's dominant platform for sharing moments from everyday life. Unfortunately, the content most often appearing on these platforms consists of carefully staged and idealized portrayals of daily life. People post pictures from exotic vacations, perfectly styled physiques, or happy relationships, which can give viewers the impression that their own lives are significantly worse. This phenomenon leads to the so-called "curated reality effect," where users only see the most beautiful moments from others' lives, ultimately causing frustration and lowering self-esteem.
Research on the Impact of Idealized Life on Mental Health
The idealization of life on social media has been well-studied by psychologists. The American Academy of Pediatrics conducted research showing that intensive use of platforms like Instagram is linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, especially among young people. Studies indicate that social media encourages a phenomenon known as “comparison anxiety,” where individuals constantly compare their lives to the idealized images of others.
Psychologist and researcher Ethan Kross from the University of Michigan found that passive consumption of social media—such as scrolling through others' posts without engaging—negatively affects mental health. His research indicates that people who spend time passively browsing experience higher levels of stress, sadness, and dissatisfaction with life. In contrast, active engagement on social media, such as commenting, interacting, and participating in conversations, can improve well-being and enhance a sense of social belonging.
Self-Esteem and Body Image: The Biggest Threats
In terms of self-esteem and body image, social media has a particularly negative impact on young women and teenagers. Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health shows that teens who spend a lot of time on Instagram and other visually-driven platforms are more likely to struggle with body image issues. This phenomenon stems from constant comparisons to celebrities, influencers, and models who often use filters, retouching, and other digital tools to present an unrealistic appearance.
A 2016 study conducted by the British Psychological Society (BPS) revealed that social media can contribute to the development of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. High exposure to images of “ideal” bodies creates pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. This can lead to an unhealthy focus on weight, diet, and appearance, increasing the risk of severe health problems.
Scientific Evidence: Social Media and Mental Health Disorders
The correlation between time spent on social media and the prevalence of mental health disorders has been well documented. The report "#StatusOfMind" published by the Royal Society for Public Health highlights that Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook are the platforms most harmful to young people's mental health. The report identifies depression, anxiety, loneliness, and dissatisfaction with life as key issues.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day significantly improved participants' mental health. Reducing exposure to idealized images of others' lives led to better mood, increased self-esteem, and less perceived social pressure.
Researchers at King's College London conducted extensive studies on the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image. Their findings show that individuals who spend more than two hours a day browsing visual content on social media have significantly lower self-esteem. Constant comparisons with people posting perfect images often lead users to forget that these images are frequently manipulated, and real life is far from being so ideal.
Long-Term Effects and Possible Solutions
The long-term effects of constant comparison can be extremely destructive. Young people who spend large amounts of time on social media may develop chronic mental health problems, including prolonged dissatisfaction with life, chronic stress, and body image disorders. The rise in cases of depression and anxiety among youth in recent years has been linked to the growing popularity of social media.
One way to minimize this negative impact is through education about image manipulation on social media and the promotion of more realistic portrayals of life. Organizations such as Dove have initiated projects like the Dove Self-Esteem Project, which aims to raise awareness of body diversity and promote a healthy body image.
Movements like the Body Positivity campaign have gained increasing popularity on social media, encouraging the acceptance of diverse body types. The promotion of authenticity and avoidance of retouched images is receiving more support, with a growing number of influencers choosing to post unfiltered photos, showing their bodies in a more natural state.
How to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Social Media Use
To reduce the harmful impact of social media on mental health, experts recommend several simple yet effective strategies:
Limiting social media use – Research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that reducing social media usage to 30 minutes a day can significantly improve mental health.
Conscious consumption – Avoid passively browsing content; instead, engage in activities like commenting and participating in discussions, which can enhance well-being.
Education about image retouching – Raising awareness of how images are altered on social media can help young people better cope with societal pressures.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Impact of social media on adolescent mental health.
Royal Society for Public Health. (2017). Status of Mind: Social Media and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Journal of Adolescent Health. (2016). The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Body Image and Self-Esteem.
King's College London. (2020). The Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Mental Health in Adolescents.
Dove Self-Esteem Project. (2021). Promoting Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance in Social Media.