Social media hasn’t been around that long, but some of it has put forth such a blatant pressure on our generation. This intense pressure is highlighted in Un-edit, a new social campaign that’s gaining a lot of attention.
Created by Birmingham City University student, Jade Johnson alongside fellow student, Laura Dawkes, the impactful campaign fights against the pressures women face from social media, like losing weight and getting cosmetic surgery. The British students told Mashable they wanted their campaign to bring to light how those on Instagram could play a role in causing young women to feel pressured into looking perfect.
“The campaign was built to show women we do not need to give into the pressures of social media and we should be proud of who we are rather than letting it bring us down,” Johnson said in an email to Mashable.
In the campaign, women pose in a range of situations, from taking selfies after surgery, to being wrapped in cling film, to even injecting themselves with lip fillers. Alongside some photos, there is a message that aims to take a stand against the pressure social media can bring.
And according to researchers, that pressure is very real. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine revealed young adults who use social media are a lot are more likely to develop negative body images and eating disorders than those don’t use it frequently.
When I read this, it really hit me: We have become so harsh on ourselves that we literally take what other people say is unrealistically beautiful and make it our own expectation.
But who says there is a “norm”? Who says that we need to be a certain size?
Ummm… No one.
This study and campaign made me think about many of us who allow the images we see on social media to become our “ultimate” idea of what the perfect body image is. Consequently, when we don’t feel like we live up to that, we beat up on ourselves. But in reality, we are perfectly made the way we are.
I wanted to write about this subject in hopes of encouraging young people who are continuously looking at social media as a way to understand and hone in on who they should be. I think social media can have such a greater power when we allow it; power that helps us to accept ourselves and to love who we are.
Whenever you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else, take a step back. Realize you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. Everyone is unique. Don’t allow your uniqueness to be scrubbed away because you are trying to tap into becoming someone who you are not.
I’m not saying it’s time to take a social media diet. But, I am suggesting that we interact with social media differently. Unfortunately, most platforms don’t condone this positivity upon its users, therefore, we need to create this interaction for ourselves in each experience that we have on these platforms. Hence, my wanting to create RIZZARR 🙂
Be careful about what you read and see. Be careful what you allow your mind to take in. Take more time to appreciate your beauty and all that you are, for who you are. Don’t ever let someone make you feel any less beautiful than you are. I think if many started taking this approach, the negative body images the world has and eating disorders would subside. When it comes to social media and its impact, I think we have to be willing to change how we use it and what we take from it. Don’t you agree?
Images courtesy of Un-edit
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