Social Media and AI: Untangling a complicated web of information

It is well documented that social media has a powerful impact on developing minds. It is also fair to say that at any age, our telephone screens and access to social media, across platforms, can contribute to low feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.

While some social media influencers are indeed professionals, there are countless others who post information that at times can be harmful and can contribute to disordered eating and unhealthy relationships with one's body. An example of this might be an influencer who provides information that borders on orthorexic and restrictive dieting advice or pushes a specific body aesthetic. For the record, boys are not impervious to these messages about body perfection and dieting. An example of this is the looks maxxing movement, which suggests potentially dangerous behaviors to achieve body perfection.

With the advent of AI and its ever-evolving capabilities, it can be exceedingly difficult to discern what is a real image versus a highly edited image. Photoshop has existed for ages and people have felt compelled to alter their faces and bodies before posting and/or end up comparing themselves to images that are not in their original form. What is real? AI is not helping the problem. It is important to help individuals navigate what images or experiences they have on social media that informs self-worth and self-esteem.

In fairness, there are certainly resources on the internet and through social media that can provide healthy responsible information, whether somebody is in recovery from an eating disorder, exploring their relationship with body image or body dysmorphia, or is just struggling with self-esteem in general, not specific to disordered eating or body image issues.

Adolescence is a challenging time, and social media has only contributed to a landscape that is difficult to navigate. Once again, it is not just adolescents, teens and young adults that are informed by what they experience on social media. Adults of any age get trapped in comparisons, feel "not enough,” or find themselves doom scrolling all hours of night and day. It is advisable to evaluate one's screen time and their relationship with social media. Understanding that screen time can contribute to neurochemical changes in the brain and is highly addictive is a consideration for anyone at any age and any gender. One type of restrictive diet that is always acceptable…social media and screen time diet!