Our Body Image and Social Media: Live Life Unfiltered | Keisha & Teagan Simpson Simpson | TEDxOttawa

Summary

The video script explores the negative impact of Instagram and social media on young women's self-esteem and body image. It follows the personal stories of Keisha and Tegan, who, despite their outward confidence, struggled with insecurities fueled by comparing themselves to the filtered and photoshopped images they saw online. Research links increased social media use with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues, particularly among teenage girls. The video advocates for a movement called 'Live Life Unfiltered,' encouraging women to share unfiltered photos and embrace their insecurities, ultimately fostering a healthier relationship with social media.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media, especially Instagram, often presents a curated, unrealistic version of life, leading to comparisons and insecurities.
• 😀 The speaker shares their own experience of posing for photos to appear happy while actually struggling with body image and loneliness.
• 😀 Instagram's influence on body image is particularly harmful to teenage girls, causing increased anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction.
• 😀 Studies show that excessive social media use, especially Instagram, is linked to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
• 😀 The comparison of real lives to altered, photoshopped images on social media is unrealistic and damaging to self-esteem.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the need to understand that social media often shows an idealized version of life and bodies, not the full reality.
• 😀 Young women are increasingly using filters and Photoshop to alter their appearance, creating a cycle of self-criticism and insecurity.
• 😀 Constantly altering photos can lead to an unhealthy addiction to external validation, such as likes and comments, which are directed at an altered self, not the real person.
• 😀 The 'Live Life Unfiltered' movement encourages young women to post unfiltered photos and share their insecurities to break free from the pressure of perfection.
• 😀 Despite knowing the harms, many young women continue using social media, feeling compelled to post filtered and photoshopped images for social approval.
• 😀 The solution lies in recognizing and addressing the impact of social media on mental health, promoting real, unfiltered content, and fostering discussions about body image and self-esteem.

Q & A

What is the central message of the talk?

The central message of the talk is the negative impact social media, especially Instagram, can have on young women's mental health and body image. It emphasizes the harmful effects of comparing oneself to curated and often photoshopped images of others, and advocates for being more authentic and unfiltered both online and offline.

How does social media contribute to the rise in anxiety and depression among young people?

Social media, particularly Instagram, contributes to rising anxiety and depression by encouraging constant comparison. Users, especially young women, compare their real lives to idealized and often photoshopped versions of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and diminished self-esteem.

What are the main findings of psychologist Jeanne Twenge regarding social media and mental health?

Jeanne Twenge's research found that the amount of time spent on social media directly impacts mental health, with excessive use contributing to anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Her study also revealed that teenage girls are more negatively affected by social media than boys.

What is the significance of the 'Live Life Unfiltered' movement?

'Live Life Unfiltered' is a social media movement aimed at improving the Instagram experience for young women. It encourages them to share unfiltered photos and be more open about their insecurities to counter the pressure of achieving perfection in their online presence.

How do young women typically alter their photos before posting on Instagram?

Many young women use photo-editing apps to digitally alter their appearance before posting on Instagram. Common changes include smoothing skin, slimming bodies, lengthening legs, removing blemishes, and even enhancing features like the buttocks.

What is the issue with comparing yourself to photoshopped images of friends on Instagram?

Comparing oneself to photoshopped images of friends on Instagram is particularly harmful because it creates unrealistic beauty standards. Unlike magazine photos, which are often perceived as exaggerated, these images of friends seem more attainable, making the comparison even more damaging to self-esteem and body image.

How does Instagram affect young women's body image and self-esteem?

Instagram often exacerbates body image issues by promoting idealized and unrealistic representations of beauty. Constant exposure to these images can make young women feel dissatisfied with their own bodies, increase feelings of insecurity, and lead to unhealthy behaviors like excessive use of filters and photo manipulation.

Why is it difficult for young people to escape the influence of Instagram?

Instagram is deeply ingrained in daily life, and unlike traditional media such as magazines, it is always accessible via smartphones. This constant presence makes it challenging for young people to escape its influence, as they carry their social media experience with them everywhere.

What was the impact of the 'As She Is' challenge on Instagram?

The 'As She Is' challenge encouraged young women to post unfiltered photos of themselves, promoting vulnerability and authenticity. It had a significant impact by fostering a sense of freedom and relief for participants, helping them feel more comfortable with their real selves and reducing the pressure to conform to unattainable standards.

What steps can individuals take to mitigate the negative effects of Instagram on their mental health?

Individuals can mitigate the negative effects of Instagram by being mindful of the content they consume, limiting time spent on the platform, and following accounts that promote body positivity and authenticity. Additionally, it’s important to recognize and vocalize insecurities, focus on real-life connections, and avoid excessive photo-editing or filtering.