A lot of us are now blowing this trumpet and we are getting stronger and stronger! Social media is a toxic playground for pretty much anyone, especially for young girls. What started as a way to "connect" has now morphed into a breeding ground for eating disorders, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety and crippling self-doubt.
The worst part? Most of us have no idea how deep the damage runs until it's too late.
We live in a world where filters and Photoshop have become the norm, where likes and followers define self-worth. Every scroll through Instagram or TikTok is another jab at your body, another impossible standard. Young girls are bombarded with "perfect" bodies and faces—digitally sculpted to the point where even the person in the photo doesn’t recognise themselves. It’s no wonder we’re seeing an epidemic of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, especially among teens and young women.
The Cult of Influencers: Worshipping the Hollow
Let’s be real - influencers are hollow. They’re not gods or goddesses, despite how they’re worshipped. They have no real talent or contribution to the world, and yet they’re admired by people who are often either too vulnerable or brainwashed to see the truth or things for what they really are. We’ve created a culture where people with zero talent or merit are celebrated as winners, when they’re really the biggest losers. These influencers are nothing but walking ads, selling an unattainable, fake dream that they don't fully understand themselves and profiting off insecurities.
The proof is in the pudding. Social media, by its very nature, is a flat platform. It is intrinsically anti-depth. If these people had anything real to offer, or stood out in real life at all, they wouldn’t thrive here. I'd dare say you need to have an extraordinarily flat, uninteresting personality and life, along with an equally flat set of beliefs, ideals and interests to succeed on a platform that by default rewards superficiality and flatness. The real winners are those creating and contributing something meaningful to the world—not the ones faking perfection online.
Yet these hollow influencers have thousands or millions hanging on their every post, creating a twisted system where we celebrate people who do nothing but pose and pathetically promote herbal teas or hair products. It’s completely absurd!
We really need to start calling them out for what they are—frauds. And while we idolise these empty frauds, who should really be compared to air pollutants, the real creators and builders go unnoticed. It’s time to flip the script. Influencers don’t deserve our admiration, on the contrary, they should be publicly shamed for making the world a worst place instead of better. They are nothing without their filters and fake personas, carefully curating a life that is likely to be as boring and uninteresting as it is fabricated.
The Perfect Storm: Social Media and Body Image
Social media thrives on comparison and amplifies insecurities. Influencers and celebs aren’t showing us reality—they’re feeding us a filtered illusion that no one can live up to. Not even them! It’s all utter bullsh*t.
Research proves that constant exposure to these manipulated images leads to body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and unhealthy eating habits. "Thinspiration" and "fitspiration" content has spiralled into a dangerous trend, pushing people to chase an unattainable version of "perfection" that doesn’t even exist.
The Trap of Validation
Social media isn’t just about visuals—it’s about validation. Every post is a plea for approval, a desperate search for likes, comments, and followers to prove we’re "good enough." For young girls, this is especially dangerous. Their self-worth becomes tied to how many likes they get, and when those numbers don’t hit, their confidence crumbles.
This toxic cycle feeds directly into disordered eating and body dysmorphia. The constant need for validation through appearance pushes people into extreme measures—fad diets, over-exercising, and even dangerous weight-loss pills, all to feel "seen" in a world pathologically obsessed with image.
Why I’m Calling It Out
You already know where I stand—I’ve never been a fan of social media, and this is exactly why. It’s a machine built to manipulate, control and profit from insecurities, on top of promoting narcissism, self obsession and polarising society, leaving no room for debate or any depth of thought. The very same platforms that promise connection are the ones tearing us apart, especially our young girls navigating self-discovery.
Let’s not sugarcoat this—social media is killing confidence, and we need to stop pretending it’s harmless.
The Way Forward: Reclaiming Control
So what can we do? We need real conversations. We need to stop worshipping these false idols and start celebrating real bodies—flaws and all. And most importantly, we need to push back against the platforms that profit from insecurities by educating ourselves and others about the truth behind the filters.
Social media isn’t going anywhere, but we don’t have to be its victims. It’s time to defy the algorithm and reclaim our self-worth on our own terms.
Standing Up Against Social Media Harm: The Social Media Victim Law Center
For those who have experienced the darker side of social media firsthand — families whose children have suffered harm — there is hope! The Social Media Victim Law Center is an incredible force fighting for justice. It’s the only law center solely dedicated to representing families whose children have been hurt by the very platforms that promised connection but caused devastation. Their work is nothing short of extraordinary, standing up against tech giants and making sure the unheard voices are finally listened to. If you or someone you know has been affected, reach out, because no one should ever have to face this battle alone.
Add comment
Comments