Content warning: this story mentions disordered eating.

New research shows young people know social media can negatively shape the way they see themselves, but continue using it because they also see it as a place to celebrate diversity and foster community. 

At 16, Libby Thomas was in the depths of an eating disorder she says was far too easy to fuel with social media. 

"I would follow accounts of people who were also suffering with the same thing, and that turned my eating disorder into a competition that no one was going to win."

Libby Thomas says it was hard to separate herself from the social media platforms she was emotionally attached to. Photo: Supplied.

New research by the Classification Office and Netsafe has confirmed young New Zealanders feel social media has a significant impact on the ways rangatahi perceive themselves.

The Body Image Report was based on interviews with 58 young New Zealanders between the ages of 14 to 17 - each respondent representing diverse cultural backgrounds, regions, sexualities and gender identities.

Gender plays a key role in body image content

Chief Censor of the Classification Office, Caroline Flora, says Libby’s story is common among young girls using social media.

"We found that body image content - everybody sees it and it affects everyone - but your gender definitely plays a key role,” Flora says.

“Girls are getting bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards - weight loss is a huge issue that's pointed at girls - so they're more likely to  see food-related content, beauty enhancement and dieting tips.”

Whereas boys are more likely to engage with fitness content like “GymTok” she says, promoting bulking through protein powder, steroid use and pressuring young men into extreme dieting and gym culture.

“But not only that, more recently there's this “looksmaxxing” thing where the facial features of boys have come under massive pressure,” Flora says.

25-year-old Michael Morely says he has a positive body image today, but in the past social media impacted his diet.

“I’d be in the kitchen at 11pm trying to squeeze in bits of food - I don’t do that anymore, but social media definitely had something to do with that,” Michael says.

Despite being in a better place now, he says he still thinks about gym culture and the idea of hitting the right amount of calories and protein to put on weight.

The research shows that, although rangatahi acknowledge some online content promotes unrealistic standards for young people, social media is still perceived as a place to celebrate diversity and foster community.

Flora says trans and gender diverse youth tend to use social media to find community and support for their gender identity.

“Even in those spaces, they're open to receiving hurtful and hateful comments - but by-and-large they actually find a lot of positive body image content to support them on their journey,” Flora says.

Up, down and on-line

Now 21, Libby says it was hard to separate herself from the social media platforms she was emotionally attached to, even though it had such a negative impact on her wellbeing.

“I was a negative person and destroyed my relationships due to my bad thoughts, so the change of mind was not just for me, but for everyone around me.”

“I started posting what made me feel happy instead of what I ‘looked good’ in - I followed accounts that made meaningful impacts on my life and stopped comparing my life with the highly dramatised lives I saw on Instagram or Facebook.” 

Today, Libby uses the online platforms to share videos of herself performing her passion - aerial dancing - and connect with other dancers.

“Using social media as a creative outlet instead of a negative one really changed my mental health for the better - I look forward to logging on and seeing what my friends have posted.”

Netsafe CEO Brent Carey says he was hopeful when he saw young people able to balance the pros and cons of social media.

“That was really welcome, to see young people saw social media as both a safe place sometimes and also aware of the risks, because they had to find their own communities online.”

So, what do young people want?

Carey says young people who spoke to researchers in The Body Image Report want to see adults role-modelling positive behaviours.

“Insecurities don’t just go with age - adults have clothes in their wardrobes ranging from size 8 to 14 as they go back and forth in weight over the years - so it’s on us to provide young people the example to care about themselves whatever happens.”

Rangatahi also indicated they want better blocking and reporting mechanisms to avoid seeing unwanted content, without having to delete apps.

“All those messages around blocking, removing, deleting are all engrained,” Carey says, “it's now about autonomy of self - being able to train or personalise your algorithm”.

“I think young people were definitely looking for more from the platforms to remove more of that,” Carey says.

In schools, Carolina Flora says, rangatahi are comfortable talking about body image issues in general terms, but when it starts getting personal, they are keen to have open-ended and objective conversations about their concerns in private settings.

“Big group class settings are not going to be the place they'll confess to feeling poorly about themselves based on body-image content," Flora says.

Netsafe and the Classification Office will now use the youth voice collected in The Body Image Report to tailor future teaching material, campaigns and guidance for carers of young people impacted by social media.

Change is possible

When Libby looks back on her journey from eating disorder to dancer, she feels proud to have changed her relationship with social media.

“It’s great being able to appreciate how beautiful people are without having to [put] myself down, it’s such an amazing feeling.”

She recommends all young people sit down and think about who they are following and why.

“You have the most control over what you see and it’s so important that we don’t get sucked into the trap that is social media,” Libby says.

Top image: A composite image of Libby Thomas, with social media icons. Source: iStock/Supplied.

Where to get help

• EDANZ – improving outcomes for people with eating disorders and their families. Freephone 0800 2 EDANZ or 0800 233 269, or in Auckland 09 522 2679. Or email info@ed.org.nz.
• 1737: The nationwide, 24/7 mental health support line. Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
• Suicide Crisis Line: Free call 0508 TAUTOKO or 0508 828 865. Nationwide 24/7 support line operated by experienced counsellors with advanced suicide prevention training. 
• Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633, free text 234. Nationwide service focused on supporting young people.
• OUTLine NZ: Freephone 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463). National service that helps LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders access support, information and a sense of community. 
• Netsafe: an independent charitable organisation supporting people in Aotearoa to have safe and positive online experiences. Keeping people of all ages safe online by providing free support, advice, and education.

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