Taking a break from social media boosts body image: Study reveals

Many young people struggle to disengage from beauty ideals such as a narrow waist, curvy buttocks, and slim legs, which are often omnipresent on social media. Particularly harmful trends include the "thigh gap," prominently featured online by young women about a decade ago. This trend emphasized a visible gap between the thighs, allegedly attainable through strict eating and exercise routines.

The "thigh gap" has been rebranded as "legging legs," which is especially pronounced in tight leggings. However, it's not widely acknowledged that such a gap is neither attainable nor desirable for the vast majority of women with a healthy body mass. Online searches for "Is thigh gap healthy?" or "How to get a gap between the thighs?" are still common. Meanwhile, the "waist challenge" demands a waist so narrow that someone else can wrap their hand around it and drink water from a bottle held in that hand.

Sometimes, the pressure comes in subtler forms. The "What I eat in a day" trend remains popular on Instagram and TikTok, where young women meticulously record everything they (claim to) eat throughout the day. Typically, these videos shy away from indulgent foods, focusing on protein-rich and sugar-free meals. There's also the "body positivity" movement, championing a positive view of one’s body, regardless of whether it’s large, skinny, or disabled. However, search engines might not show such content unless it aligns with the user's search and viewing habits, influenced by algorithmic suggestions.

Previous analyses have shown the impact of social media self-presentation on self-esteem. Researchers from York University in Toronto highlighted the benefits of a brief hiatus in a study where just a week-long break improved participants' self-regard and their positive attitudes toward their bodies.

In the study, shared on ScienceDirect, 66 female students were divided into two groups. One continued their regular social media use, while the other abstained for a week. Participants were questioned about their body satisfaction and desire to resemble models both before and after the hiatus. Those who took a break reported improved body image, especially among women who had strongly internalized the slim figure ideal.

The authors noted that the positive effects were more pronounced than typically seen in psychological studies. They suggested that these improvements might stem not only from the social media break but also from engaging in alternative activities. Spending time outdoors, with friends, or participating in sports can all significantly benefit mental health.

The effort to counteract these issues appears insufficient so far. Many young people find it hard to disconnect from social media, with usage steadily increasing over the years. In January, Meta announced plans to restrict teenagers' access to inappropriate content on Facebook and Instagram, contingent on age verification.

Regulations often fall short of their goals. The European Digital Services Act, aimed at shielding minors from harmful online content such as that glorifying eating disorders, mandates that network operators remove or conceal such content. However, a review by the organization Reset revealed that only up to 30 percent of this content is removed. TikTok, in particular, has been criticized for its lackluster content moderation despite blocking the #legginglegs hashtag.