Social media has many uses. Unfortunately, not all of them are positive in nature. One of the less desirable uses is for what is called body shaming.
Body shaming is a form of online criticism. It can make fun of someone’s weight. It can make fun of someone’s physical shape. It can make fun of specific physical features.
Sometimes it takes the form of an actual insult. Other times it can take the form of providing advice about improving someone’s appearance. It may also take the form of negative comments about an individual’s wardrobe.
The basis for these comments are unrealistic standards of beauty. If someone does not fit the standard of the critic, they are liable to ridicule the individual. That is true even if others do not use the same standard.
Its impact is not always recognized by the critic. However, it is not likely that the one providing the criticism would really care. Otherwise, they would not be doing it in the first place.
The results of these kinds of body shaming comments are multiple. The individual may develop anxiety. The individual can become depressed. Self-esteem will suffer.
There are a variety of disorders that can develop. Anorexia Nervosa can be the result of body shaming someone’s weight. Bigorexia is a term for bodybuilders who overdo things because they feel that they never have enough muscle.
Some individuals will actually touch up the photos they put on line. They use a technique called photoshopping. The medical term for individuals who have a habit of doing this is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
BDD is an actual mental health condition that is defined as an excessive preoccupation with the flaws in a person’s appearance. It goes overboard to become an actual obsession. It is similar to other disorders that are affected by imagined appearance.
In the extreme individuals can develop a Major Depressive Disorder. This comes with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. No one should kill themselves over online criticism. Unfortunately, that does happen.
A great deal of what appears on social media is not well thought out in the first place. When it turns to insulting the appearance of others, there is absolutely no benefit that occurs. When there is a group of individuals doing it to one person, it constitutes cyberbullying.
This is clearly not a positive use of social media. We need to make sure that we do not fall into this kind of criticism trap.