The internet has transformed the social perspective of today’s generation with social media becoming an essential component of socializing. Scholars have discussed the different aspects of social media that have resulted in its replacement of traditional social space while focusing on both positive and negative impacts of the transformation. The changes have widened the scope of socializing which is instrumental in a globalized community but have also changed the castigation of criminal activities. Cyberbullying is termed as the use of cyberspace to send harmful, threatening or cause conflicting emotions through online platforms.
Although different studies demonstrate varying data on the use of social media among teens and youths, it is acceptable to claim that over 85% often use social media with 93% of these users preferring Facebook ("The Annual Bullying Survey 2017", 2017). These platforms have coincided with the extreme use of selfies that have increased the number of personal photos online. However, for the past decade, psychological studies have focused on the role of cyberbullying to psychiatric disorders. The field is broad, but for the sake of this paper, the study is limited to cyberbullying and body image. The narrowing down of the study enables thorough research of the effects of cyberbullying and appearance of the victim to understand whether the growing trend of selfies on social media may be detrimental to the youths. The paper also compares the rates and risks of the topic in the U.K. and the U.S.A to determine whether the trend is different or similar.
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Body Appearance
Many people tend to consider body image in similar scope as self-esteem due to their connection. However, body image is a narrow topic and is based on the appearance or body size which can result in low self-esteem, but self-esteem covers the body image, psychology and other aspects such as hobbies and personal lives. According to Smith, Hames, & Joiner (2013), the body image among teens is of grave importance due to the growth transformation of social experiences. The study claim that girls and young women are more likely to post their photos on social media compared to boys and young men with posts of 74% and 40% respectively (Smith, Hames, & Joiner, 2013). The traditional media depiction of the feminine as a spectacle for male consumption that is discussed in the Gaze Theory is noted in the type of images posted on social media.
Therefore, young females are more likely to display sexy pictures of themselves and their friends compared to their male counterparts with exposure of their bodies and seductive postures dominating their images. Men/boys are more likely to post sports images, video games and cars more than their pictures. These figures result in approximately 60% and below 40% of cyberbullying or negative comments in regards to their images from their online peers for female and male respectively (Haferkamp, Eimler, Papadakis, & Kruck, 2012). These findings are supported by Nilan, Burgess, Hobbs, Threadgold & Alexander (2015), who demonstrated that girls or young women are more likely than men or boys to be victims of cyberbullying based on their appearances.
Psychologist claim that negative comments such as being told that you are ugly or you are too fat are some of the devastating remarks that result in the victim losing their self-esteem as their dislike of their appearance grows. The continued comments can also result in depression and self-hatred leading to the development of anti-social behaviors that if left unsolved can result in suicidal thoughts or attempts. In an example provided by Nilan and her colleagues, one of the participants claimed that after a female friend posted a selfie on Facebook while in the gym, the first few comments were positive until one friend posted that she was too ugly for anyone’s liking (Nilan, Burgess, Hobbs, Threadgold & Alexander, 2015). The comment was followed by multiple adverse observations leading to the friend deleting the photo. Since then the girl has never posted an image of herself. Psychologists argue that such demoralizing comments, if not solved or addressed, can lead the victim losing the morale to engage in physical activities such as practicing in the gym and eating disorders are likely to replace the physical activities. The self-hatred and low self-esteem due to such comments would lead to depression and obesity thus increasing the risks of chronic disorders for the victim.
The study of cyberbullying is one of the most researched topics. However, scholars tend to differ from their claims on who are the perpetrators of the vice. In earlier studies, it was claimed that men are the perpetrators while women are the victims but recent studies have differed with these assumptions claiming that with most of the cyberbullying incidents being committed by anonymous people online, it is difficult to determine the bullies. Studies have also shown that women are also likely to engage in rumors on one of their friend’s appearance leading to ignoring the victims and posting offensive comments focused on causing negative regards on their body image.
A Comparison of the Vice between the U.S. and U.K.
According to Tiggemann, & Slater (2013), over 1.3 million adolescent girls in the U.S. have anorexia. The study depicted that the discontent of their image compared to those of their peers and the traditional media depiction of beauty is the cause of the anorexia. The symptoms develop following insults about their body image either online or through conventional channels. The rate of cyberbullying in connection with body image in use is similar to that of the U.K., although U.K. has 1.5 million of cyberbullying victims, with females being victimized more compared to the males ("The Annual Bullying Survey 2017", 2017). The studies on both countries depict that over 50% of all online users have been victims of cyberbullying with insults or negative comments concerning their appearances forming 50% of their cyberbullying experiences ("The Annual Bullying Survey 2017", 2017). Depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, self-discontent, and eating disorders were documented as the most likely psychological disorders suffered by the victims.
Conclusion
The trends of using selfies are at its all-time high but with the cyberbullies targeting the appearances or body image to victimize the unsuspecting youths. The patterns of cyberbullying based on body image have demonstrated that the trend is universal which can be due to the global scope of cyberspace. The emotional attacks have resulted in psychological disorders that can lead to death or physical harm. Therefore, it is essential for the victims to seek help after such events occur as the failure to find help can be devastating.
References
Haferkamp, N., Eimler, S.C., Papadakis, A., & Kruck, J.V. (2012). Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus? Examining Gender Differences in Self-Presentation on Social Networking Sites. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking , 15(2), 91-98.
Nilan, P., Burgess, H., Hobbs, M., Threadgold, S., & Alexander, W. (2015). Youth, Social Media, and Cyberbullying Among Australian Youth: “Sick Friends”. Social Media + Society , 1 (2), 205630511560484.
Smith, A.R., Hames, J.L., & Joiner, T. E., (2013). Status Update: Maladaptive Facebook Usage Predicts Increases in Body Dissatisfaction and Bulimic Symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 149(1-3), 235.
The Annual Bullying Survey 2017. (2017). Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.DitchtheLabel.org
Tiggemann, M. & Slater, A., (2013). Netgirls: the Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders , 46(6), 630–633.
