Social Media Affecting Teen Girls

Did you know teen girls are more afraid of gaining weight than they are of cancer, nuclear war,or even losing a parent? World renowned author, J.K. Rowling once said ”Is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, evil, or cruel?”. With women in today’s society being portrayed as perfect many young girls are striving for the same “look”: Skinny,perfect teeth,hair and skin. What's influencing them? You might ask. It’s the internet,magazines,tv shows,movies and social media. In addition, the use of photoshop is turning women more into art than humans which is decreasing girl's self esteem, when in reality these images are so digitally altered practically no one's body can look like that. In the age of smartphones,tablets,and laptops we all want to stay connected,but is it really beneficial?
Social media’s influence on teen girls is very important because it is difficult for girls during those

years of adolescence. Young women are among the heaviest users of social media with over 75% of teens actively participating in social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Dominated by celebrities and social media famous teens wearing waist trainers and promoting crazy diets,these icons are giving girls the wrong impression. Not only do the girls take their dangerous advice, but these “helpful beauty tips” can lead to much more serious consequences such as anorexia or bulimia. 10 million females in America have anorexia and we’re just adding more to this staggering number. Some people claim social media is bringing awareness to these issues such as the Dove Campaign or body positive hashtags. While social networking plays a significant role in expanding social connections,it’s doing more harm than good. Teens are prone to social media evils such as depression,sexting and cyberbullying. Last year women wrote more than five million negative tweets. Whats worse is that ⅘ tweets were about themselves. This is teaching younger girls it's ok to bash on yourself or to talk trash about other women because five million others did. It’s clear to see in this day and age were valuing a pretty face more than what's on the inside and it needs to stop.
The media is sending powerful messages to young girls on what they should eat,how they should dress, and what they should look like. 96% of girls and women do not match up the models and actresses' bodies presented in the media. Although the problem is simple,the solution is not. We can’t get rid of social networking,it's part of our lives and a vital way of communication,but we can do something. Sadly not everyone agrees that this issue needs addressing, some people feel as if this low self esteem is just a phase girls have during adolescence,but 80% of ten year olds have already been on a diet. That is not a phase that is a problem. Celebrities have power, but they are not using it to help young girls boost their self esteem. They should promote self appreciation not weight loss supplements. Also, we should be teaching girls at a young age that beauty is not everything and we are not just weak damsels in distress needing a prince to save us because we have each other.In addition, parents should moderate their children's social media use and set a healthy time limit on sites such as Facebook.They should also talk with their kids about how it's unnatural to look like a models in the media because they go on insane diets and most of their photos are digitally altered. These “icons” are only known for a pretty face and not much else. Do you really just want to be known as “that pretty girl” when you possess so much more valuable qualities?
Most women dream of looking like a model,but when you find out what models really go through to achieve their unrealistic bodies you may change your mind.

Adriana Lima,a famous and beautiful Victoria's Secret model reveals what she goes through before going on the runway for her fashion shows. She works out twice a day,barely eats solids and survives on protein shakes and a gallon a water a day 9 days before the show. In addition to models unhealthy eating habits,the photos they post and magazine spreads they're in are mostly photoshopped,altering their face and making their waist appear smaller than it is. People think it's part of their job and it's ok for models to restrict their eating or to photoshop photos millions of girls see,but it’s not. These images affect girls in many ways. They want to be as skinny as these models,but these photos are so digitally altered that it looks more like a doll than a human. Many girls see these photos and think they are fat when they are actually at a healthy

weight.
Nearly 50% of girls at the age of 6 or under feel that they are fat, according to a study at the University of Florida. Is the amount of likes you get worth more that your health?
Over the last eight decades photoshop has become a common
practice among magazines,billboards, and the stores we shop in. Even our favorite celebrities such as the Kardashians use it. Although more people are becoming aware of how photoshop changes someone's body to unnatural proportions and is unnecessary some people view it as a form of art. When young girls look at these false images they presume that they are not skinny enough or their hips are too big which is not the case. The Dove Self-Esteem Fund reveals 71% of girls with low self-esteem feel that their appearance doesn’t measure up; including “not feeling pretty enough, thin enough, stylish enough or trendy enough,” compared to the images they are exposed to in popular media. Also 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape. The media is a powerful influence in many people's lives we should be using it for empowering women not bringing them down.

Social media was made to communicate with others and share common interests,etc so how come we are using it to comment negative things on someone's selfie when we don’t even know them? How come it’s considered normal to post a hundred tweets about your day, but not even spend one hour with your family? I’m not asking you to stop using social media all I am asking you is to stop comparing yourself to these digitally altered models. To unfollow the negative social media influences and pass your knowledge about the dangers of social media on. It’s 2015 how come we have gone to the moon,but still can't accept ourselves for who we are?