Perspective of young women about the effect of Instagram on body image and self-esteem

Abstract

This dissertation analyses the perspective of young women on the effect that social media, specifically Instagram has on body image and self-esteem of young women. It sheds a light on the constant comparison between women to adhere to the ‘ideal’ slim body image. This study draws on the theories of the Sociocultural theory, the Feminist theory and the Objectification theory in relation to body image, to further investigate and explore on this matter. A qualitative research was conducted to explore this issue in depth. Six online interviews were carried out in total, in November 2021 with young women between the ages of 18 and 25. The young participants came from different backgrounds and nationalities. The findings of this research show that participants agree that young women can subconsciously be influenced by the pressures of the popular photo-based platform, Instagram. They talked about how young women constantly compare their real body image to the images of thin models and influencers on social media, sometimes even altering their body to look like a certain person. Self-esteem was also mentioned in the interviews, as something that can be affected negatively through the use of social media, by leading to young women determining their self-worth on the number of ‘likes’ and ‘followers’. All participants agreed that Instagram exacerbates the societal pressures on young women to conform to the ‘perfect’ body image and be seen as a desirable object for sex.