Social Media, Body Image and Health Information
Social Media, Body Image and Health Information
Learning Goals
WALT: The influence of social media on the messages we receive about nutrition and our bodies and the effect this can have on our mental health
WILF: Analysis of your social media feed to see what trends you find, reflection on your social media usage and content
TIB: Where we get our information from matters.
Not questioning the validity and relevance of health information can have significant implications for health behaviours and outcomes throughout our lives.
Digital wellbeing refers to the impact of digital technology on our mental, emotional and physical health. It includes how we manage screen time, online interactions and the balance between digital and offline activities.
It is important to maintain digital wellbeing to ensure that technology enhances rather than detracts from our overall wellbeing.
What is Digital Wellbeing?
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
Access
Access to information and learning resources.
Connection
Social connections and communication with friends and family
Opportunities
Opportunities for creativity and self expression.
Technology is neither Good or Bad It’s how we Choose to Use It!
Think: Pair: Share – Brainstorm 3 positives to technology use under the headings below
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
List the positive and negative effects that social media can have on an individual AND
HOW it affects our safety, relationships and/or wellbeing.
5/26/2024
Class Activity
What are some strategies for minimising the negative effects?
Positive Online Habits
Identify if the dots points opposite refer to the effect on a person’s identity, relationships and/or emotions
Digital interactions have a significant impact on our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Constant exposure to social media, online gaming and digital communication can lead to stress, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
Mindful online behaviour involves being intentional and thoughtful in our digital interactions.
By practicing mindful online behaviour, we can protect our mental health and wellbeing .
It allows us to create a positive online environment conducive to learning, collaboration and personal growth.
What negative impacts have you experienced?
However ….. Group Discussion
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by technology?
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
Privacy concerns and the impact of oversharing personal information.
Addiction
Screen addiction and its effects on sleep, physical activity and social interactions.
Cyberbullying
The risk of cyberbullying and its emotional consequences.
Privacy
The Negative Impacts of Technology
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
The Impact of Online Behaviour on Relationships
Positive online interactions can strengthen relationships, while negative behaviour can harm them.
Examples of positive online behaviour include supporting friends, sharing uplifting content and engaging in meaningful discussions.
Examples of negative online behaviour include trolling, spreading rumors and engaging in conflicts.
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
Below are two opposing scenarios, read the scenario and answer the questions.
5/26/2024
Student Activity
Scenario 1: Positive Online Interaction
Alex posts a photo of his new artwork on social media. His friends and followers leave positive comments and encouragement. Alex feels proud and happy about the positive feedback.
Questions:
How might Alex’s positive online interaction affect their mental health and wellbeing ?
Why is it important to provide positive feedback to others online?
What are some ways Alex can continue to share his work and receive positive support?
Scenario 2: Negative Online Interaction
Jamie receives a hurtful comment on her latest post. The comment criticises her appearance and makes Jamie feel upset and self conscious.
Questions:
What impact might the negative comment have on Jamie’s mental health and wellbeing ?
How can Jamie respond to the negative comment in a healthy and constructive way?
What steps can Jamie take to protect her mental health while using social media?
Social Media
What are the ‘pros’ of social media?
What about the ‘cons’?
Do you think social media is a valid source of nutritional information? Why or why not?
Create 3 criteria for what makes a valid source of health information.
The Challenge of Social Media
Historically, our identity was influenced by those people we spent time with and the way in which they represented themselves.
- A religious family would likely instil religious values in their children.
- A sporty family is likely to have sport kids.
- Having friends that smoke is likely to increase the chances of you trying a cigarette.
- Your example:
Access to social media means we can spend time with representations of people we barely know, and how they represent themselves is sometimes not accurate. This can mean what we think is ‘normal’, or part of a sort after identity, is actually possible, causing unnecessary stress
Social Media and INTENSIFIERS
What is an Intensifier?
Intensifiers
An ‘intensifier’ is not inherently ‘bad or good’.
+ Connects people living apart geographically in a way not seen before
+ Can provide some valid information – depending on the source!!
However, this is not always the case!
Highlight reels are not a real depiction of life
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsF6DG4qXe1/
Deepfake photo editing software and filters are regularly used to distort and modify images to be more ‘attractive’
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmZd0KfqT3g/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Physical Appearance Content
What is it?
“Fitspiration”
Fitness Inspiration
- Exercise related
- Diet/wellness related eg, smoothies, supplements
- Physically ‘fit’ bodies or images
Often presented as a way of ‘healthy living’ that can very easily slide into obsessive and unhealthy food and exercise related behaviors
Stats
Eating disorders are the fastest growing mental health condition
An internal analysis at Instagram found that the app worsens body image
With an average of 2100 videos per month, young people with the lowest amount of ‘physical appearance’ content had less eating disorders
There is a strong correlation between increased physical appearance content and eating disorders, often with as many as 1 in 3 physical appearance videos in this population
(How many messages is this out of the 2100??)
A significantly higher susceptibility to develop eating disorder-related behaviours and over-thinking of body weight and shape has been observed for girls with Snapchat, TikTok and Tumblr accounts and boys with Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram accounts (Dutta, 2023)
Take our your phone!
Choose a social media app
Tally on your phone for 5 minutes the videos/posts that come up in the following categories
Student Activity
Pick one app that you frequently use and analyse its impact on your wellbeing. Analyse the app’s features, how much time you spend on it and whether it has a positive or negative effect on your mood and productivity
App:
- Features
- Time Used/Day
- Effect on Relationships
Emotions
Identity
© Go Teach Australia Pty Ltd 2024. Licensed to Keebra Park State High School for 2025
Self Reflection
How do you feel after spending time on social media apps (not engaging with friends) online?
Have you noticed how much physical appearance content you receive on your feed?
How valid do you think the information you receive from social media is with regards to nutritional advice?
Why do you think there is so much of this content on social media?
What affect do you think this will have on young people longer term?
Examining representations in the media and community
Mainstream media representations play a role in shaping our opinions about various different aspects of identity.
It is important to be able to identify the messages that the media projects about identity.
Commercials
Mary’s Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ngESNoacxM
Distortion : Parent overlay of messages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF3iRZtkyAQ
Train your Algorithm
Strategies to Help Manage Your ‘Feed’
Most of the TikTok content you see is determined by the algorithm, not what you actually follow or ‘like’
It measures amount of time you engage with it, not the EFFECT that this has on you (+ or -)
What you engage with actively shapes your feed
If you look at it, you have ENGAGED with it even if you don’t LIKE it
Block it if you don’t like it/doesn’t make you feel good
Follow other things that are a completely different interest eg. nature, hobbies, travel, books, sport, other interests
Be critical of the messages you are receiving
Actively shape your feed away from these topics
Seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed
Exit Ticket - Discussion
What role do you think social media plays in perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards?
Do you think there should be disclaimers where people have used filters or software to modify their appearance from how they are in real life?
Why or why not?