Social media abstinence can boost self-esteem

A Canadian study has found that refraining from social media for a week can have a positive impact on one’s body image. Online beauty ideals are most harmful to young women who try to achieve unhealthy body shapes.

For many young people on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, it’s hard to escape the beauty ideals and standards that are circulating, and these trends can be dangerous. At the moment, what seems to be “in” are a slim waist, round buttocks, and skinny legs.

Ten years ago, the “thigh gap” was all the rage. This is a space between the inner thighs that remains visible when women stand upright with their feet touching. Also known as “legging legs,” its proponents argue that anyone can achieve the look — with enough dieting and exercise.

Though for most women with a healthy body weight it is considered dangerous to aspire to having a thigh gap, not everybody seems aware of this.

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Research has consistently shown that social media can have an impact on users’ self-esteem. A recent study by York University in the Canadian city of Toronto explored the effects of taking a break from social media for a short period of time. It found that the self-esteem and body images of women who stopped using social networks for just one week were significantly improved.