The Effects of Social Media on Models

A Review of Eating Disorders

Abstract

In recent years, eating disorders among the young population in the United States have become much more prevalent. This is mainly due to the body standards set by media influencers and models. As young, impressionable minds see social media influencers with better features, some try to replicate those facial or bodily features, which can cause an unhealthy obsession in those who wish to look like, for example, their favorite celebrity. Models who work in this industry face these dangerous body standards, as well. They can develop an unhealthy obsession with what they look like, which can lead to the development of eating disorders. The modeling industry may also contribute to models’ harmful mindsets. But, as people learn about the horrible emotional and physical consequences of body standards, they fight to change how society views “the perfect body.” Although most of the evidence presented in this paper is about women, the concepts related apply to men since the evidence does not relate to any gender differences. This paper evaluates the rising demand for advocacy surrounding the problems of models and considers how those who work in the social media industry struggle to deal with the consequences of body standards.