Body image and its relationship with culture and society are crucial topics in the modern era. While we all have a body, how we perceive and feel about it is directly and indirectly influenced by the social and cultural context in which we exist. Collective beauty standards impact deeply on our self-esteem and self-image.
In our current daily lives, saturated with technology, the use of the internet has become increasingly essential. Social media, in particular, emerges as a bridge connecting people worldwide, and through likes, we decide whether we appreciate the images that appear on the screen.
This collective validation both positively and negatively influences many people, reinforcing the idea of beauty standards in various situations. However, there’s a growing trend of content creators focusing on showcasing real bodies and inviting us to reflect on our own body image.
How can we cultivate a healthy relationship with social media?
Understanding that we are unique and that our bodies have characteristics that are part of who we are is a path to using social media with a more empathetic focus on our well-being. Additionally, it’s crucial to evaluate the role of social media as a consumption medium. Each person needs to comprehend that many images are manufactured for specific purposes and may not necessarily reflect the general population.
Events unfold rapidly on social media; trends, memes, and controversies arise and vanish quickly, emphasizing that what we see is ephemeral. At any moment, new beauty standards can emerge. Therefore, be yourself even if you don’t fit a particular standard, as videos and stories last for 60 seconds, but you continue to exist. Finally, every culture has its own context and type of beauty, offering the experience of witnessing different bodies and their genuinely unique beauty on social media.
