Social media use has become a huge part of everyday life, shaping the way we see ourselves and others. But for many—especially those struggling with an eating disorder—constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards can have harmful effects.
In this post, we’re sharing the perspective of a college student who has experienced these challenges firsthand. She reflects on how social media impacted her own body image, the pressures of comparison, and the role these platforms played in shaping her relationship with food. Through her story, she also explores ways to engage with social media content in a more supportive way.
Now, let’s hear from her.
Social media usage on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook have become a constant presence in daily life, shaping how we define beauty, health, and success. While these spaces offer connection and inspiration, they also create unrealistic expectations about what bodies should look like.
From my own experience, I’ve often found myself caught in the trap of comparing my appearance to influencers and celebrities online, and it’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up. Research has shown that even just 10 minutes of browsing Facebook can negatively impact mood and increase body dissatisfaction, especially for those who tend to compare their appearance to others. Social Comparison theory suggests that individuals evaluate themselves by comparing their lives to those they see online and often that contributes to body dissatisfaction and in some cases, eating disorder behaviors.
Social media platforms are designed to highlight beauty and lifestyle, they more than often create an unrealistic view of what “normal” is. I’ve noticed that the more time I spend on these platforms, the more I begin to question what’s real, especially when it comes to body image.
On these platforms, people edit and filter photos of “perfect” bodies, leading to others having harmful comparisons. There has been research done linking low self-esteem and negative body image to those who are exposed to images as such. Accounts on these platforms that focus on fitness and healthy lifestyles often encourage extreme dieting or exercise practices, allowing them to normalize unhealthy body ideals.
This leads to images being able to make one believe that their self-worth is tied to body size, which can be a dangerous mindset to someone with disordered eating behaviors. For those in recovery, having constant exposure to these images and weight centric messaging can be triggering. It can chip away at efforts to adopt a healthier relationship with food and body image. However, social media does not always have to be a negative force, it is possible to engage in ways that support mental and physical health.
Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition where individuals become excessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance—flaws that are often minor or even nonexistent. This obsessive focus can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and in severe cases, the development of unhealthy eating behaviors as an attempt to “fix” or control their appearance.
For many people, social media amplifies body image concerns by constantly presenting edited, filtered, and unrealistic images. The more time spent consuming idealized body standards, the greater the risk of developing distorted self-perception. This can result in compulsive behaviors like excessive mirror-checking, avoiding social situations, or extreme dieting and exercise.
During my time in college, social media became even more of a double-edged sword. I was balancing the stress of school, social pressures, and trying to figure out who I was, and social media felt like a constant reminder of what I wasn’t. I remember spending hours scrolling through Instagram, seeing perfectly edited photos of ‘college life’, everyone looking put together, attending fitness classes, and posting about their ‘healthy’ meals.
At the time, I was struggling with my body image, and seeing those photos made me feel even more disconnected. I started comparing my body, and my habits to what I saw on my feed, and it became this cycle that felt impossible to escape.
It wasn’t just about looks, it was the pressure to be at my best, always. It’s easy to get caught up in that mindset, especially when you’re in a place where everyone seems to have their life together. That constant comparison, paired with the ideals of perfection, fed into my insecurities and distorted my relationship with food and exercise. But over time, I realized how toxic it all was and started curating my feed to include more body-positive and mental health-focused accounts.
Navigating social media while recovering from an eating disorder can be challenging, but with mindful adjustments, it’s possible to create a more positive and supportive digital space. Instead of letting harmful content reinforce negative thoughts, you can take control of your feed to foster encouragement, self-compassion, and realistic representations of health. Here are some practical ways to engage with social media in a way that supports your recovery journey.
One step to use social media as a tool for support is to curate your social media feeds carefully. Select accounts that promote a range of body types, self-compassion, and realistic health and wellness messages. Follow accounts that promote body positivity and inclusivity while avoiding those that push diet culture.
Another step is to unfollow or mute the triggering images and videos you see. If a certain account makes you feel anxious, or focused on your body, it may be a good sign to unfollow them. If you find yourself comparing or feeling pressured, it is okay to remove that from your feed.
Another healthy tip is to set boundaries in using social media. Using social media and having it negatively impact your mental health and well being can lead to compulsive checking and comparing. Allowing yourself to set a boundary is a great way to have a balanced relationship. For instance, setting a time limit on the social media accounts, not allowing yourself to look at social media first thing in the morning or before bed. This can help you not feel as overwhelmed and create a healthy balance.
With the negative impact of social media on body image becoming more apparent, learning how to navigate these platforms with awareness is essential. This is where media literacy and, more specifically, social media literacy come into play. Social media literacy involves understanding how content is curated, edited, and often manipulated to portray unrealistic beauty standards. It empowers individuals to critically evaluate the images and messages they consume rather than accepting them as truth.
Without strong social media literacy skills, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant comparison, leading to poor body image and, in some cases, disordered eating behaviors. Recognizing how algorithms prioritize appearance-focused content, how filters distort reality, and how influencer culture promotes unattainable body ideals can help create a healthier relationship with social media. By becoming more aware of these influences, individuals can engage with digital spaces in ways that support their well-being rather than harm it.
Social media is a powerful tool that can shape our perceptions of beauty, self-worth, and health—for better or worse. While it can contribute to unrealistic expectations and harmful comparisons, it can also be a space for body positivity, mental health awareness, and recovery support.
By curating your feed, setting boundaries, and engaging with content that uplifts rather than harms, you can create a healthier relationship with social media. Remember, your worth is not defined by filtered images or diet trends—your body deserves respect, nourishment, and care exactly as it is.
Hi! I'm Carlee, a dietetic intern at A Soft Place to Land. I'm currently doing my internship with West Chester University and I'm excited to become a registered dietitian! I'm passionate about eating disorders and sports nutrition. When I'm not studying or at my internship, you can find me running, traveling, doing yoga and hanging with friends!
Weight-inclusive and trauma-informed nutrition and therapy services.
Copyright © 2025. A Soft Place to Land. All rights reserved.
