A disease that is making teenage girls want to change their appearances
As its very name indicates, social media apps like Snapchat are causing the illness of Snapchat dysmorphia. In particular, the filters that teenage girls use to take selfies which leads them to being subjected to an unrealistic ideal.
“I want to look perfect and symmetrical” is what Dr. Maryam Borumand from YouGlo clinic started hearing recently from her clients. As a cosmetic doctor who has already worked for five years in the aesthetic industry, she is worried about this recent trend. “They think we are like gods and have magic wands that will make them look flawless in a second,” says Borumand.
Social media is undeniably guilty. For this reason, Borumand believes that aesthetic practitioners should be held accountable. “Some of the doctors out there just want the money, and the internet is their way of achieving it,” she says. “These girls don’t need a marketing platform but one with educational and useful information.”
This is what Emma Croman tries to do with Valid, her new project that publishes weekly body judgement stories. It was born out of her personal experience of having poor visions of her body. She says: “The one question I ask to each of my interviewee is, how does the media and expectations of the modern day influence the way you feel about yourself?”
Nowadays, mostly teenagers feel the pressure of following what their friends do online. For instance, having beauty bloggers as role models and creating this community that encourages unhealthy practices, leading to self-hate. “In the 80s magazines, people wouldn’t say you’re ugly,” says Croman. “Now you’ve got online trolls who don’t really care about what they say and how that affects the readers.”
Cover photo credits: OUTRE Team
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