Appearance-focused Internet Use and the Thin-beauty Ideal

Tyne Stanley, James Barnes and Emma Short

Studies in Media and Communication, 2015, vol. 3, issue 2, 38-50

Abstract: Websites featuring appearance-focused content are a medium for constant appearance comparisons, addiction and pressure to meet existing beauty-ideals. This study investigated a sample of 264 males and females who use appearance-focused websites, with a view to determining the relationship with appearance dissatisfaction and self-worth. Data collection involved posting links to online questionnaires on popular social networking sites. Internet appearance exposure was found to correlate with a greater drive for thinness in females, suggesting that exposure to the thin-ideal body images presented online reinforces women¡¯s desire to achieve the cultural expectations of body shape and weight. Furthermore the study highlighted that internet addiction was associated with a drive for thinness and low self-esteem in both males and females, with differences exhibited in regards to body-esteem. These findings emphasise the need for pathological internet use to be incorporated into media literacy programs and to encourage a critical stance toward current beauty standards.

Keywords: social networking; body image; internet addiction; thin beauty ideal; appearance-focused internet use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rfa:smcjnl:v:3:y:2015:i:2:p:38-50

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