Social media are online platforms used to connect with friends and family. They have the benefits of allowing easy communication and staying up-to-date with our important relationships. However, there can also be some downfalls. For example, the constant stream of visual content – pictures of your friends at the beach or portraits of family members – can onset body comparisons that increase body dissatisfaction. We are trying to identify the most harmful activities on social media and ways to mitigate the risk of using social media on body image distress and disordered eating behaviours.
Select Publications
Smith, O. E., Mills, J. S., & Samson, L. (2024). Out of the loop: Taking a one-week break from social media leads to better self-esteem and body image among young women. Body Image, 49, 101715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101715
Hogue, J., Minister, C., Samson, L., Campbell, G., & Mills, J. (2023). Young women's dialectical responses to fitspiration and thinspiration: A qualitative study. Eating Behaviors, 50, 101758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101758
McComb, S.E., & Mills, J.S. (2022). The effect of physical appearance perfectionism and social comparison to thin-, slim-thick-, and fit-ideal Instagram imagery on young women’s body image. Body Image, 40, 165-175. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.003
Hogue, J.V., & Mills, J.S. (2019). The effects of active social media engagement with peers on body image in young women. Body Image, 28, 1-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.11.002.
Mills, J.S., Musto, S., Williams, L., & Tiggemann, M. (2018). “Selfie” harm: Effects on mood and body image in young women. Body Image, 27, 86-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.08.007.
[Image retrieved from Chesnot / Getty Images]
