Nov. 14, 2024
By Janset Çinaz
Copy Editor
Look up “body positivity” on social media, and within seconds, you’ll find a video of someone preaching self-love and embracing imperfections all while hiding behind a beauty filter.
Social media spreads messages that are at odds with each other, turning the movement into a never-ending cycle of contradictions that ultimately harms more people than it helps.
The body positivity movement began in the 1960s as a reaction to the stigma and discrimination overweight individuals faced. It was originally meant to help people with marginalized bodies, such as those with disabilities.
However, over time, the movement has changed drastically. Now, it often promotes unhealthy habits, simplifies the complexities of health, fixates on appearance and even shames those who are fit or whose appearance aligns with conventional beauty standards.
Constant exposure to body-related content on social media can make people, especially young users, feel insecure or anxious about their looks.
Body positivity became especially popular during COVID-19. With everyone stuck at home, many turned to social media for entertainment.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok became hubs for short, relatable videos, where influencers and users promoted self-love and acceptance of all body types. Creators shared their personal struggles with body image and spread the message of embracing one’s unique appearance.
The problem is that social media influencers promoting body positivity often lack the medical or psychological knowledge to give proper advice, leading them to the impart unscientific or inaccurate information about health. They, like many other teenagers and young adults, share this message with the goal of gaining followers and popularity.
This movement is flawed because it puts too much emphasis on body types and physical appearance. Constant exposure to body-related content on social media can make people, especially young users, feel insecure or anxious about their looks. Furthermore, it can lead to an unhealthy obsession with appearance.
Now is the time to call into question and cast aside the messages of body positivity circulating on social media. The movement has generally failed to achieve its intended goals, which is why it should be rejected once and for all.
