Effects of Social Media on Body Image

5/2/2026

Positive Social Media Use

    Even though there are many drawbacks to social media use, it can actually be helpful and beneficial when people use it in a healthy way. Many young adults use apps like Instagram and TikTok to stay in touch with the world, express themselves, and share their daily lives. These platforms can create a sense of community and belonging, which can improve how people view themselves. Psychology Today even says that receiving positive feedback, such as likes or comments, can help boost confidence.

    One of the biggest advantages social media offers is that it allows you to find supportive communities. You are able to connect with others who have similar interests, backgrounds, and experiences. This can be very beneficial, especially when it comes to issues with self-esteem, you can find others who struggle with the same things. These communities can encourage acceptance and remind people that they aren't alone. By following accounts that promote boy positivity and confidence while also being transparent with real-life experiences, users can start to see more realistic depictions of people online.

    Another important fact is that how someone uses social media is more important than how much they use it. Research shows that “having a larger Twitter network and being more active in that network seems to be particularly helpful in alleviating depressive thoughts and symptoms” (Psychology Today, 2021). Passive scrolling is likely to lead to comparison, whereas actively engaging in what you see can help people feel more connected. Communicating with others, even if about small, irrelevant things, can help build a sense of community.

    Using social media in moderation can also make a big difference in your life. While too much time online can negatively impact someone's mental health, moderate use can actually benefit you positively. Studies suggest that social media use alone is not a strong cause of low self-confidence, meaning that other factors, such as habits, in mix with social media use are what really affects people (Cabezas-Klinger, 2025). This shows that social media itself is not always harmful, it depends on how it is being used.

    Being aware of what you are consuming online is also important for maintaining a healthy balance. Mindful use means paying attention to how certain people, posts, or comments make you feel and choosing what to continue to engage with. For example, following motivational or educational accounts can make all the difference in how social media affects your life. Research suggests that intentional use of social media can lead to better moods and higher confidence levels (Psychology Today, 2021).

    It is also vital to remember that most of what people, influencers, post online is real or the full truth. Many images are edited and carefully chosen to show only the most perfect looking moments. When users understand this, they are less like to feel the need to compare themselves in an unfair manner. Knowing social media often shows the best moments of people's lives and
not every moment can help people keep a more realistic view of themselves and others.

Links to more information:

Bing Videos

How to Use Social Media in a Healthy Way: 10 Practical Strategies | 16Personalities

Works Cited

Cabezas-Klinger, Hector, et al. “Associations between Social Media Use and Mental Disorders

in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent

Evidence.” Behavioral Sciences, Nov. 2025, www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/11/1450,

https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111450.

"Social Media Use, Psychological Function, and Well-Being." Psychology Today, 2021,

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-cyberps ychology-page/202103/social-media-

use-psych ological-function-and-well-

being?msockid=0c4e95c32dc364590bc383fa2cbc659a. Accessed 31Mar. 2026.

state, penn. "Social Media and How It Impacts Self-Esteem | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)."

Sites.psu.edu, 19 Oct. 2023, sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2023/10/19/social-media-an d-how-it-

impacts-self-esteem/.