How

SociAl Media

Homegenizes Beauty Standards?

In today’s society, the perception of beauty has undergone significant transformations, with social media playing a pivotal role in driving these changes. Social media, initially intended as a platform for individuals to freely share their life experiences with a broader audience, serves a dual purpose. While it fosters communication and facilitates the formation of friendships, its impact on young people, in particular, has often been more harmful. The proliferation of various applications has contributed to this phenomenon. Through these apps, individuals often craft idealized versions of themselves, perpetuating a narrative of “perfectionist” beauty that diverges from reality. Ultimately, this idealized image shapes individuals’ self-esteem regarding their physical appearance and influences how they perceive themselves within society’s frame work. Also, social media platforms promote an ideal beauty standard characterized by flawless features: a slim body, flawless skin, and other unrealistic attributes. Many individuals, from a young age, resort to drastic measures such as cosmetic surgeries and image alterations to conform to these unrealistic ideals. Ultimately, we observe a homogenization of appearance, where individuals mimic each other, lacking originality yet labeled as “perfect.”

İLLÜStrasyon: Ezgi Çolakbüyük, 2024
Illustration: Ezgi Çolakbüyük, 2024

Social media ads and sponsorships promoting products and beauty procedures not only encourage people but also push them towards these solutions to improve what they see as flaws in themselves. Influencers and celebrities worsen this pursuit of perfection by displaying impossible standards on social media, making their followers want to copy these ideals even more. On the other hand, this situation not only homogenises people but also causes various psychological problems. Furthermore, the adverse effects of social media’s influence on beauty perception extend beyond young people and society as a whole. Dealing with these problems needs society to take a more practical and inclusive view of beauty. Accepting different body types, skin colors, and ages is crucial in challenging the limited standards imposed by social media. By celebrating individual uniqueness and promoting acceptance, we can cultivate a more equitable and empathetic society where everyone feels valued and accepted, regardless of their appearance.

İLLÜStrasyon: Ezgi Çolakbüyük, 2024
Illustration: Ezgi Çolakbüyük, 2024