Social media can weaken self-image and body image among Norwegian adolescents

Background: Body image refers to an individual’s perceptions and attitudes toward their own body, while self-image is a broader view of the self, including both personal characteristics and physical appearance. Research on the influence of social media has predominantly focused on adolescents’ body image, and qualitative research is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate Norwegian adolescents' perceived influence of social media on both body image and self-image.

Methods: Eight focus group interviews with 48 adolescents (58% females; mean age 15.9, range 15-19 years) were combined with a national survey among 124 adolescents (59% females; mean age 18, range 16-20 years); both addressed social media influences on body image and self-image, including an open-ended survey.

Result: The survey revealed that females, more than males, expressed negative views on social media's impact on self-image, with descriptions relating to unattainable ideals and idealized body representations. The interviews revealed that males too experienced body-image pressure, but felt that it was rarely talked about. Although the adolescents tended to engage with social media for its positive content, even boosting self-image through likes, young males would also use body-related social media content as motivation to build their ideal masculine body. Body positivity was discussed in several interviews, where females viewed it as a positive trend, while males could not relate to it.

Conclusion: Adolescents' body image and self-image were in many ways negatively affected by social media. Arguably, influences described as positive may also carry negative impact, such as striving for a masculine ideal. Furthermore, social media influence differed between females and males. Current strategies to promote a healthy body image and self-image do not take gender differences into account, calling for new, tailored and effective strategies.

Implications:
From a public health perspective, social media pose a health risk, both psychologically and physically, at the same time as it can serve as a potential health-promoting arena. The study outcomes underscore the need for health-promoting interventions that strengthen adolescents’ critical media literacy, promote realistic and diverse body representations, and reduce harmful social comparison. Furthermore, the results stress the importance of gender- and context-sensitive strategies in preventive and health-promoting work targeting young people. Importantly, governmental regulations may enable interventions in schools, local communities, and digital platforms that may help strengthen adolescents’ mental health and promote a more positive and resilient body image and self-image.