Introduction

The rise of globalisation has interconnected society into different networks and communities. Technological advancements, specifically social media, come at a price and a cost, increasing the expression of creativity and identity for young adults. Allowing social media to become a fundamental routine for some, a networking platform that promotes authenticity, innovation, and connectivity worldwide.

Instagram’s rise in popularity as an image-based platform produces another outlet for sharing, promoting inclusivity and overall innovation in social media; however, it also generated a ‘trend’ in comparing oneself to another. Photo-based platforms have encouraged conceptualising one’s ideal self, constructing a digital identity far from the person’s reality (Vandenbosch et al., 2022).

This essay argues that Instagram negatively influences users’ body perception due to the toxic comparative mindset. While the platform offers opportunities to build an online identity and representation, it also pressures users to maintain a perfectly correct, often unrealistic, online image and identity. There are concerns over maintaining a perfect image, understanding whether the user is an authentic representation or a ‘performative’ presentation, and the social media anxiety it induces in young adults. Instagram has become a widely popular application; however, media consumption must be at an equilibrium for a productive outcome.

Pressure to Maintain the Perfect Image

The introduction of visual media distributed the mindset of comparing oneself to the ‘ideal’ body image. Before social media, physical media (newspapers and magazines) widely influenced body image concerns among young women and men (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). With the presentation of celebrities and influencers, trends in the beauty and fashion industry, and accessibility in general public opinion, users are open to the perception of maintaining a perfect image. The idea of a self-concept and identity is susceptible to being influenced by media, whether positive or negative.

With the popularity of image-focused platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, wide research identifies the positive relationship between social media consumption and body image concerns (Vandenbosch et al., 2022). Whilst being interconnected with people worldwide has benefits, which social media advocates for, a user is susceptible to psychological vulnerability to conforming to a certain standard of appearance. Social media users are often exposed to a constructed life perspective and absorb the content to a certain standard. However, what is real, and what is just a concept?

If a user is consistently exposed to and consumed by a subjective body image, it often alters their perception of their body satisfaction (Suls et al., 2002). Dittmar (2009) highlights that this moving trend of the ideal body in the mass media has been a core link to negative implications. Furthermore, the accumulation of content in different fields bombards the user with numerous ideas, standards and inspiration. On the contrary, it can be argued that over-saturation in content may subconsciously pressure one’s mindset of ‘how to live’.

As Festinger (1954) argues in his paper, there is a primitive drive for individuals to ultimately compare themselves to evaluate their identity and value as humans; this is to reduce uncertainty through self-evaluation (comparison), which can come in the form of consuming media representation about body image and standards. Though comparison can go either way, humans undermine their ability and perceive themselves as worse or unworthy; in this case, they are dissatisfied with their bodies. While comparison is a natural cognitive process, the curated nature of Instagram distorts the perception of reality, making it easier for individuals to feel dissatisfied with their bodies. As a result, excessive social media use is linked to lower self-esteem and body dissatisfaction. 

Further, the toxic cycle of seeking online validation from communities and networks may reinforce lower self-esteem and increased body dissatisfaction. Moreover, constant validation-seeking through likes and comments puts pressure on self-work based on external approval, and this feedback loop can become an obsessive behaviour (Suls et al., 2002). Consumption, often overconsumption, conforms a user’s mindset to what their self and identity should be. This raises the question of whether what the user presents online is a real or a performative identity. 

Authenticity vs. Performance

In pursuit of beauty, it is easy to fabricate authenticity with a digital facade. How one presents oneself through social media, especially giving the chance to upload digital imagery of one’s life and delving into the concept of curated perfection. It is up to the user with technological advancement and how they present their content. Access to artificial intelligence (AI), photo manipulation, and other editing software sets out a plethora of ways to change or refine content.

Therefore, media consumption and production blur the line between whether users present their authentic selves or something ‘consumable’ for the media. Platforms that rely on visual performance (i.e. TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram) productively put out visual inspirations from all over the world, producing a certain aesthetic or niche deemed entertaining or of interest, which is the general outcome of these media posts. Therefore, young adults may find themselves trapped between the desire to be their authentic selves and the pressure to create an idealised version of their lives that aligns with expectations and pressures. Wang and Skovira (2017) argue that social media is “performing-for-impression” (p. 6), as there is a performative aspect when people notice cameras being present or in the presence of others. This phenomenon has fueled a comparative race between young adults to appear as something they are not – subconsciously or intentionally – an idealised version of themselves – performing to fulfil a positive first impression from the digital audience.

Furthermore, exposure to perfection in the celebrity or influencer reinforces unrealistic beauty ideals, turning self-presentation into a social construct wherein people consume and judge (Kreling et al., 2022). Consuming media with high curation or production behind the post produces a highly idealised visual, influencing subsequent consumers (fans) of these. Consequently, it creates a subconscious standard for young adults as something of inspiration, which may not be attainable or realistic. Furthermore, this self-presentation is a competitive social construct where individuals continuously assess and modify their online persona. As a result, young adults perceive and create a false image of themselves as performative media. Posting a facade for the sole purpose of making an ideal impression.

At the same time, social media can be a space for freedom of expression, where some users produce visual performances to be an authentic part of themselves. However, there may be pressure to present themselves as a ‘different’ digital identity to deliver a fantasy (Wang & Skovira, 2017). This aligns with Goffman’s (1956) theory, in which he describes people conforming to the role of performers, presenting themselves in certain ways to influence and construct how others perceive them. This idea remains highly prevalent in recent years within social media, as people carefully curate a ‘front-stage’ persona to conceal their realities. The relevance of this theory within the digital age emphasises that visual presentation, particularly the rise in visual-based platforms, encourages people to construct an online identity.

Furthermore, the concept of self-presentation is to control people’s perception to put forward or conform to an ideal image. As a result, self-presentation is fundamental to developing a certain social identity or facade. Often than not, showcasing themselves out of character puts pressure on themselves and causes psychological detriments. When self-worth becomes threatened by external approval, individuals may struggle with authentic self-acceptance, leading to a cycle of comparison and inadequacy. The digital era continues while offering a means of social connection and expression, ultimately adding to this craze of a facade of unattainable perfection, leaving emotionally and mentally exhausted, possibly disconnecting their true selves.

Social Media Anxiety

It is widely researched that there is an association between social media [pressure] and the psychological well-being of young adults. Social media pressure manifests in young adults through comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), or, as discussed, unrealistic body standards. From these societal pressures, the psychological well-being of each user is at a detriment. Furthermore, social anxiety is exacerbated by social media through hyper-awareness and constant validation from external factors. National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.) defines social anxiety as the constant fear and anxiety of being evaluated by others during social situations. This type of anxiety disorder can have people feeling perfectionism, constant negativity, discomfort with communication, and falling back into time spent online. Further symptoms of social anxiety can be seen as constant comparison, looking for ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ as validation of performance, excessive editing of images, or compulsively putting on a facade.

Instagram does a great deal in manifesting these symptoms through the accessibility of filters and algorithmic promotion of perfect lives, which subconsciously affects the user. The personal and almost intimate experience of social media is up to the individual user, essentially opening themselves to social comparison with the visibility of their lives to others. The desire for validation stems from being judged negatively; self-objectification entails being viewed by others, contributing to anxiety and insecurity. Users experience a social comfort in selectively revealing themselves, perhaps performing a certain way in front of the online community (Collantes et al., 2022). Being a heavily visual-based platform, Instagram users will consume the posts of others and assume that is how they live. This action, heavily validated by Instagram’s features of likes and comments, approves that positive reaffirmation. Instagram’s usage encourages self-evaluation due to its image-heavy environment with interactive features (Ryding et al., 2021).

Not receiving or performing to their expectations when posting may lead to appearance and performance anxiety. Young adults may be prone to trying to regulate what they are producing on the platform as a form of self-evaluation – whether something will be ‘popular’, which is subjected to likes – having a constant thought of anxiety. Regulation of self-imagery on Instagram comes from social anxiety due to self-objectification. Numerous studies present that the validation of content interactions predicts psychological symptoms related to anxiety and self-esteem. With that interaction comes disappointment or anxiety interlinked with low likes or comments.

Highlighting Goffman’s (1956) theory again to reiterate that the constant desire to perform for outward validation causes anxiety because of the subconscious expectation to fulfil an idea. Instagram usage contributes to a heightened sense of self-consciousness, reinforcing self-evaluation, consequently leading to increased anxiety and other psychological issues. 

Conclusion

The rise of visual-based platforms fulfils a drive in young adults for creativity, self-expression and innovation. At the cost, users are vulnerable to being exposed to a culture of comparison and negativity that fosters pressure. The pressure to construct a curated online presence or persona to be perceived as perfect is close to the media being presented and consumed. Highlighting that digital presentation and connection are empowering within the 21st century, and it is crucial to understand the drawbacks and psychological toll social media has on young adults.

There are chances for people to present their authentic selves for the world to acknowledge; however, an imbalance can also occur. Everything is good in moderation. As social media grows, understanding how it can shape identity and self-worth is vital to fostering a balanced approach to online consumption. 

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