Over the last decade we have seen a massive decline in peoples positive mental wellbeing, and it is safe to say our generation has been affected the most. Many factors may have caused this; however, the most positive correlation shows that with the decline in mental health came the increase in the usage of social media. 

As a society, it seems that we have written unspoken rules that we obey whilst we are on social media. The list of these “rules” could go on but to sum it up in simple terms; you may portray yourself how you wish. That’s the magic of it all, if you want people to believe you are vegan, you can do that. If you want people to believe you go to yoga every day, you may also do that. You can make people believe anything you want over the internet. With that being said, there is also a dark side to all this. 

The dark side of social media affects everyone, however a lot of the time it particularly targets young girls. 

As the years go on, it has become normalised to have access to all sorts of platforms at a very young age, starting from as young as 9 years old. Now whilst we are considered to be in the “age of technology” this certainly isn’t a helpful thing.

Young girls entering the world of media aren’t positively greeted, in fact it seems as if they are attacked. Seeing influencers having certain body types and even editing their photos to fit these ideals, creates a false image and expectation for people. The “perfect” body type changes every couple of years but everyone’s current favourite seems to be a tiny waist and large hips. With that being said the “norm” on social media has always been to be skinny.

Now putting yourself in the shoes of a 12 year old who is slightly larger than her peers, she will go on social media and see these influencers with unrealistic body types and think that she needs to look like that. Many doctors have now said that people will develop eating disorders at a younger age as a result. Even though this may have nothing to do with social media, looking at it in a logical way, it may actually be the biggest reason. Young girls will try to lose weight to look like their favourite influencers and thus unknowingly develop eating disorders. These disorders can simply start with eating less and less to try and lose weight but can end in horrific and dangerous ways. The risks of eating disorders should be taught in schools and more people should be educated on them, as it is always an issue that gets forgotten and skimmed past. It affects more people than anyone would think.

The idea of being skinny has always been pushed down everyone’s throat. The idea that skinny is healthy. The idea that men will like you more if you are skinny. And that is far from the truth. If a man doesn’t like you because you’re slightly larger, then he is a boy. 

As this issue gained more attention there has been an increase in the media of the representation of bigger girls. Many women have created Instagram accounts dedicated to talking about this and showing young people that you’re still healthy, even if you don’t fit in the norm.  

There has also been more representation in the film industry. One of the new portrayals has come from the show Euphoria. Barbie Ferreira playing the role of “Kat”. She played a part in the show portraying a larger girl and as her story developed, she became more confident in her own skin. With one of her known quotes being “I spent my whole life being afraid people were going to find out that I was fat, but honestly who gives a shit? There’s nothing more powerful than a fat girl who doesn’t give a fuck”. This is the kind of representation we need in the media. Showing girls that it doesn’t matter what they look like, they are still beautiful. 

In the current world of matters, it is bizarre that this is still an issue.