Abstracts

Exploring How Social Media Impacts Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Body Image

by [No author] Unknown

This paper is a critical analysis that examines the current available research to understand how social media use impacts body image for adolescents and young adults. Previous research has established a link between social media use and mental health in addition to a connection between social media use and body image. The present study sought to extend these findings by examining what aspects of social media use impact body image. It included a total of 10 quantitative articles. Results from this review support a connection between negative body image and specific aspects of social media use, including social comparison, photos, and number of social media friends. Lastly, ethics, recommendations for practical application, and directions for future research is discussed.