In 2018 researchers coined the term “snapchat dysmorphia”. With the popularity of social media, and Snapchat filters, there has been a rise in body dysmorphia.
More than half of individuals seeking plastic surgery in China are young people/teenagers. Statistics also show, in Western Europe, there has been an increase of 18 - 24* year olds seeking plastic surgery.
So when you’re trying to remind yourself to not compare yourself to strangers on Instagram, also remember to not compare yourself to your filtered self.
Some snapchat filters produce an unattainable look i.e. bringing eyes closer together, changing eye shape, reducing forehead size etc. Many young people make reference to the filtered version of themselves as a look they want to achieve without realising that it isn’t attainable. In fact, filters are a modern factor in creating insecurities.
It’s crazy that not only are there still traditional methods of creating insecurities but, thanks to digital evolution, modern methods too.
So how can you make sure you don’t create/feed insecurities? Starve the root. It doesn’t mean staying away from the internet but it does mean putting your mental health and sanity first. It means taking breaks and time outs because you can. And it means training your mind to being kinder to yourself.
And that’s harder to do than say. And it doesn’t feel natural because, in my opinion, I don’t think it is. It’s part of our psychological evolution — the entire: what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.
As we evolve in different parts of society, we’re also birthing new diseases and disorders. Sometimes it feels like it’s all part of natural selection, and I wonder how much of it is natural intervention. 🤔💡 Well this was a long post; thanks for reading all this way💕
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