Social Media’s Effect on Self-Image and Body-Image

Authors

Sierra E. Oberacker, Chapman UniversityFollow
Emilee Mast-Monnig, Chapman UniversityFollow
Jessie Stauber, Chapman UniversityFollow
Samory Bailey, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Chapman access only poster or presentation

Publication Date

Spring 5-2019

Faculty Advisor(s)

Austin Lee

Abstract

We live in a world today that is constantly surrounded by technology. We use it every day to make our lives easier, to speed up time, to connect with others from a distance, and much more. In many ways, technology makes our lives easier, some would say better. However, heavy technology use comes with its challenges. One of these challenges includes the changing self-image and body-image of our society’s young adults. Based on several separate articles we’ve researched, there seems to be an overall negative correlation between media usage and self image. In one of these articles, Instagram was shown to have a statistically significant effect on body image, specifically a negative influence. We believe the research will show that the more social media young adults in college use, the more negatively influenced their self-image and body-image will be.

As stated above, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of social media on individuals’ self-image and body-image. We spend countless hours scrolling through our feed, discussing posts with our friends, and looking at images of both close friends and influencers around the world. Social media has become a staple in our young adult culture, therefore, influencing not only how we choose to live our own lives, but how we view ourselves based on comparing and contrasting ourselves to the lives we see on social media.

Through our research, we want to look further into how the role of social media in our everyday lives may negatively impact our self-image and body-image. We will ask young male and female adults how they have seen the role of social media impact their personal identity and has influenced their self-image and body-image throughout its usage.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2019 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

Recommended Citation

Oberacker, Sierra E.; Mast-Monnig, Emilee; Stauber, Jessie; and Bailey, Samory, "Social Media’s Effect on Self-Image and Body-Image" (2019). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 327.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/327