THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SELF-IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM: THE INFLUENCE OF BEAUTY STANDARDS
THE INFLUENCE OF BEAUTY STANDARDS
Abstract
This study aims to analyze, through a qualitative and exploratory literature review, how social networks influence individuals' self-image and self-esteem, especially among adolescents and young adults. The research, grounded in a bibliographic study, was based on scientific articles, books, and published studies, prioritizing reliable academic sources from the fields of psychology, communication, and cultural studies. The results showed that intensive use of social networks is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, frequent social comparison, and decreased self-esteem, driven by unrealistic aesthetic standards and algorithms that reinforce digital bubbles. It was also found that, although virtual environments can generate negative impacts on mental health, some people report positive effects, such as motivation for healthier habits. The conclusion highlights the complexity of this relationship and the need to promote critical use of platforms, in addition to highlighting the importance of public policies, educational programs, and therapeutic interventions that contribute to strengthening users' self-esteem and emotional well-being. The study presents as a limitation the lack of empirical data and proposes new research aimed at creating strategies that minimize the psychological damage caused by these platforms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Simone Cristina Mussio, Rosângela Cristina dos Santos (Autor)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright Statement
- The publication reserves the right to make normative, orthographic and grammatical changes in the originals, in order to maintain the cultured standard of the language, respecting, however, the authors' style;
- Final proofs will not be sent to authors;
- The originals will not be returned to the authors;
- Authors retain full rights to their works published in the Fatecnológica journal, and their deposit or republication is subject to the indication of first publication in the journal, through the CC-By license;
- The original publication source must be recorded.
- The opinions expressed by the authors of the articles are their sole responsibility.
