Social Media as Risk Factor for Eating Disorders

This chapter discusses recent research showing associations between different types of appearance-focused social media activities and body image outcomes. In particular, exposure to appearance-focused images, engaging in selfie activities, and interacting through feedback cues (i.e., giving or receiving likes or comments) can represent a risk for a negative body image among users. These activities can elicit body idealization, appearance comparisons, and self-objectification, and through these processes contribute to an unhealthy body image. Available literature on potential opportunities to combat appearance pressures brought by social media are also discussed.