Abstract

This study investigates how TikTok has changed women’s perceptions of beauty and how it exacerbates body dysmorphia. As a social media platform that is expanding quickly, TikTok has become an important force in defining cultural norms, especially when it comes to standards of beauty. This study examines how TikTok promotes comparison in culture among its primarily female user base and maintains unrealistic beauty standards by examining its content trends, user engagement patterns, and theoretical viewpoints. The study also explores the psychological effects of viewing idealised content on TikTok, looking at how it affects the emergence of body dysmorphia and dissatisfaction with one’s body image.

Particularly with younger audiences, TikTok has risen quickly to become one of the most significant social media sites globally. TikTok was launched in 2016 and gained popularity very rapidly thanks to its algorithmically chosen content feed and short-form video style (D’Souza, 2024). TikTok, which has over a billion active users worldwide, has become a cultural phenomenon that influences memes, trends, and even music charts (Paul, 2022). Its democratised nature, which allows everyone with a smartphone to create and share content, makes it appealing and fosters a vibrant community of consumers and creators. In addition to its phenomenal rise, TikTok has drawn criticism for perhaps upending social norms and values, especially those related to body image and beauty standards. The piece, which draws on theories of social constructing, and symbolic interaction, examines TikTok’s role in upholding and questioning traditional beauty ideals through a sociocultural lens. This research intends to shed light on the consequences of digital media ethics and mental health by examining the relationship between TikTok, beauty standards, and body image. By conducting a methodical examination of TikTok’s content offerings, user behaviour trends, and theoretical frameworks, this study aims to enhance comprehension of the platform’s impact on women’s youth culture worldwide and its consequences on conventional standards related to physical appearance and body image.

Historical settings and modern expressions have had an impact on the dynamic process of the socio-cultural creation of beauty standards. Ideals of beauty have been shaped by cultural values and societal standards throughout history; these factors frequently reflect power relationships, socioeconomic standing, and prevalent social attitudes. Beauty standards establish what’s defined as “beautiful” physical type, height, weight, and face proportions (Kaur, Asif & Wani, 2023). Social media sites like TikTok are crucial in both upholding and subverting these norms in the modern digital age. TikTok’s user base is inclusive and diverse, which means that a variety of beauty representations, from standard ideas to non-traditional expressions, could be shown. Nevertheless, despite initiatives to promote inclusivity, the site also demonstrates discriminatory behaviours as popular material still heavily favours standards of attractiveness. The self-esteem and body satisfaction of users on TikTok might be significantly impacted by exposure to idealised content. Constantly comparing oneself to carefully chosen and filtered content might make one feel inadequate and unsatisfied with the way one looks. It has been discovered that internalising these “perfect” thin body ideals is a direct result of cultural and societal pressures, such as the need to fit in and satisfy socially established standards of physical attractiveness and beauty (Glaser, Jansma & Scholten, 2024). Furthermore, these emotions are made worse by the prevalent culture of comparison that TikTok’s algorithmic feed and engagement metrics promote, which raises users’ stress and anxiety levels. In this sense, TikTok intentionally promotes a culture of comparison that may be harmful to mental health in addition to reflecting society’s ideals of beauty.
TikTok, promoting ladies to upload unrealistic meals under the #thewhatieatinaday hashtag in an effort to promote unhealthy living (Benko, 2022). The debut of a symmetrical face filter on TikTok, along with the hashtag #symmetricalface, suggested that having a symmetrical face was a sign of beauty. The fact that these viral movements are initiated by “regular” people rather than by well-known figures with access to high-end photo editing software adds to their risk (Benko, 2022). Furthermore, according to TikTok research, new trends on the site encourage users to participate in “body challenges” as a way of demonstrating their thinness, which may exacerbate issues with body image. (Alamyar & Khotimah, 2023). These videos, which are part of the #DontJudgeMeChallenge, are created by users and feature facial flaws like scars or acne, while also subtly highlighting sarcasm through makeup that is only visible on camera but then taken off to show a beautiful clean face (Liu, 2023). The platform’s automated feed promotes content according to user engagement numbers, which exacerbates the negative impacts of comparison culture on mental health and its continuation of comparison culture. TikTok’s promotion of unattainable beauty standards presents serious ethical questions because of how it affects users’ mental health and general well-being. TikTok’s promotion of unachievable beauty standards contributes to the normalisation of irrational body demands, which can result in body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and even the emergence of mental health conditions including eating disorders and body dysmorphia. The pressure to live up to these expectations can lead to dangerous habits like severe diets and cosmetic surgeries, as well as worsen feelings of inadequacy. Due to this, platform operators and content producers have an ethical duty to think through the possible effects of their work and make a concerted effort to advance more inclusive and diverse definitions of beauty.

Comprehending the influence of body dysmorphia on social media and platforms such as TikTok requires an understanding of the phenomenon. Body dysmorphia, also referred to as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health problem marked by an obsession with one’s perceived physical defects (Rhame, Dabbous, Malaeh, Hallit & Obeid
, 2023). Even though these alleged flaws are frequently exaggerated or non-existent, people with BDD experience severe distress and difficulties going about their everyday lives. Compulsive grooming, seeking validation for one’s looks, and avoiding social situations out of embarrassment or humiliation are other symptoms. Body dysmorphia is often exacerbated by social media, particularly by sites like TikTok. Research shows that body dissatisfaction and social media use are strongly correlated, with exposure to carefully chosen and edited photos exacerbating poor self-esteem and negative self-perception. TikTok can also lead to body dysmorphia, a mental illness in which an individual has an excessive fixation on perceived imperfections in their physical appearance (CBA, 2023). These pictures have the power to persuade and even mislead those who find it difficult to distinguish between photos that have been edited and those that are realistic (Tran, 2023). The use of TikTok is associated with appearance comparison, body monitoring, and body dissatisfaction (Alamyar & Khotimah, 2023). Theoretical frameworks like the social comparison theory and the cultivation theory shed light on how people’s perceptions of their bodies are distorted, and feelings of inadequacy and insecurity are fostered when they are constantly exposed to idealised body pictures on social media. According to research that was recently published in the Journal Body Image, short-form social media videos that portray unachievable beauty standards—also referred to as appearance-ideal content—can negatively affect one’s body image with only a small amount of exposure (Knight, 2023). TikTok is so popular among younger users and has a lot of beauty-related content, that it has a particularly notable impact on eating disorders and negative body image. The poisonous environment that promotes dangerous behaviours and reinforces negative body image is a result of TikTok’s content ecosystem, which includes viral challenges that promote unrealistic body ideals and influencers that uphold unachievable standards.

It is imperative to have transparency and accountability in algorithmic design and content management to lessen the detrimental effects of unattainable beauty standards on TikTok. It is important to inform users about the curation and promotion of material on the platform, as well as how algorithms work to highlight kinds of information. Furthermore, TikTok needs to have strong moderation guidelines in place to make sure that offensive or deceptive information about beauty standards and body image is taken down right away. It is reasonable to argue that social media gives its users options for empowerment and that this has a direct impact on their behaviour, including the spread of unfavourable electronic word of mouth (Sharma, Jain & Gupta, 2022). TikTok can empower users to make informed decisions about the content they consume, especially when it comes to beauty, and make the platform safer and more welcoming for all users by encouraging greater responsibility and transparency. On social media, especially TikTok, strategies for fostering healthy body image and mental health necessitate an integrated strategy that considers both systemic and individual aspects. Rather, appearance is strongly supported by “likes” and comments (Liu, 2021). Content producers have the power to significantly advance body positivity and self-acceptance by questioning conventional beauty standards and presenting a variety of appealing pictures. Studies have demonstrated that the usage of social media, especially image-based social media, might raise body dissatisfaction in children and young adults. One important risk factor for disordered eating and the emergence of eating disorders is body dissatisfaction (Butterfly, 2023). TikTok can also include tools like content warnings and resource links to help users find resources and support for issues related to body image and mental health. Programmes for media literacy and education can also assist users in strengthening their critical thinking abilities so they can properly explore social media information and fight the pressure to meet unattainable beauty standards. The promotion of unattainable beauty standards on TikTok raises issues for intervention, but it also presents opportunities thanks to regulatory frameworks and industry standards. Although it may be difficult for regulatory measures to keep up with the quickly changing social media ecosystem, they can nonetheless offer valuable principles for platform governance and accountability. Initiatives from the industry, such as the creation of voluntary standards of behaviour and best practices, can support legislative efforts and push TikTok and other platforms to put user welfare ahead of business interests. In the end, effective regulatory frameworks and industry standards that support a better online environment for all users require cooperation between legislators, industry players, and mental health activists.

In summary, TikTok has become a significant influence in determining women’s ideals of beauty and a factor in the escalation of body dysmorphia. TikTok’s visually driven structure and algorithmically selected content reinforce unattainable beauty standards, leading to a dissatisfied and competitive atmosphere among its primarily female user base. The site actively affects cultural norms and values, especially about physical beauty, thus its influence goes beyond simple entertainment. It is impossible to overestimate the psychological effects of viewing idealised photos on TikTok since they can lead to vulnerable users developing body dysmorphia and poor body image views. TikTok can lessen harm and advance digital well-being by encouraging more transparency, responsibility, and diversity in content regulation and algorithmic design. Furthermore, encouraging media literacy and giving people the tools to question beauty standards are essential to creating a more pleasant online community. In the end, resolving the intricate relationship between body dysmorphia, women’s beauty standards, and TikTok necessitates a coordinated effort by platform administrators, content producers, legislators, and mental health advocates.

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