Social Media and Body Image

NOWADAYS it seems body measurements are integral to the Instagram algorithm. The amount of bikini-clad women that our thumbs grudgingly scroll past every day seems to only increase—and by the looks of it, it’s not likely to go down either. Body ideals have, historically, been defined by the cultural icons of the time, and how they are received within that zeitgeist. For example, at the height of her success, Marilyn Monroe (a woman who, by Instagram’s standards would be considered ‘fat’) painted the ideal feminine silhouette as one with natural curves, dimples and cellulite—a world away from the airbrushed "perfection" we are inundated with today. The rising prominence of social media "influencers" and TV shows entirely based round appearance (think Love Island, Naked Attraction, etc..) only communicates to young girls and women alike, that they are not doing enough to squeeze themselves into the constricting and hyper-feminised mould of 2019 beauty ideals. But what women need to realise is that however they present themselves, as long as they feel confident and beautiful both outside and in, they are enough. The plus size model movement is definitely a step in the right direction, a la Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence (the digital Monroes of this age,) but the real heroes we need right now are the ones who don’t have makeup artists on speed dial.

The United States self-proclaimed most famous family has definitely contributed to the dysmorphia that young girls, especially, experience. Anything vaguely monogrammed "K" has the hallmark of unrealistic, distorted representation. Many girls feel pressured to replicate the "kurves" of a Kardashian, without realising the caveat that even the curves they see online are firstly, enhanced by numerous surgical procedures, and secondly heavily, heavily doctored. However, in the face of so much relentless controversy, the Kardashians maintain they have never and would never surgically alter their bodies, with Kim attempting to smokescreen her obvious nose job with the excuse “the body changes during pregnancy.” Furthermore, Kendall Jenner hits back at all plastic surgery rumours with “it’s just makeup.” Even if it is “just makeup,” the notion they should be altering their appearances at all, even if it isn’t permanently, is worrying enough. Even crazes like nose contouring act to perpetuate the ideal that a slender, smaller nose is and will always be prettier, and the same is seen with over lining lips (if done regularly or if not, constantly.) We are constantly bombarded with all of this on social media, so much so that it is inescapable if you own any kind of device with internet access.

Kylie Jenner has monetised on her blatant lip fillers by marketing them into her trademark feature; she became so renowned for her pout that she decided to launch a business venture to plaster it over social media even more, as if we hadn’t seen it sufficient times already. The fact that the Kardashians and ‘influencers’ like them are monopolising upon young girls’ sense of insecurity, inadequacy and dysmorphia is frankly sickening. But the rise of the Kardashians isn’t the cause of this dysmorphia, rather just the catalyst to catapult it into modern debate. Eons of adverts were created for the sole purpose of directly influencing the customer’s self-perception—an age old advertising technique is to induce insecurity and play upon flaws, especially with beauty products targeted at women. But, we may be at the beginning of a societal shift, with a handful of major retailers and models publicly denouncing photoshop and any form of retouching. Perhaps one day, in the not-too-distant future Instagram too, and other social media platforms, will follow suit. But for now, the only self-image hero you need is yourself, because you dictate your body. Your body does not dictate you.