Gen Zs spend around 12.4 hours on TikTok per week (Catherine & Literat,
2023). TikTok has become the most popular and influential social media platform
for Gen Z today. It is a social media app where users can upload short clips
showcasing things like their interests, hobbies, day-to-day lives, beauty routines
and much more. These short span clips create an algorithm, making it very
engaging for viewers who are interested in the same or similar topics, which can
also result in casual users gaining a high number of views and following, leading
to them pursuing it as a full-time job. Body image is described as the way people
see, feel and think of themselves and beauty standards are attributes and ideals
that society considers to be ‘attractive’ (Catherine & Literat, 2023). These are
heavily shown through the growth of social media such as TikTok. Body image
and beauty standards have stemmed from society labelling and categorising
people based on the way they look and present themselves on social media
(Catherine & Literat, 2023). TikTok has shone a light on body image and beauty
standards by setting unrealistic self-perceptions amongst young viewers. It has
also created a place where users can discuss body positivity and build an
environment where communities support each other. Even though TikTok has
been a part of body empowerment and online activism it has also created one of
the biggest contemporary issues in society today by setting unrealistic beauty
and body standards for Gen Z resulting in harming the way they perceive
themselves and their identity (Mironica,2023). Painting an impractical picture for
young users has sparked an unhealthy relationship between people and social
media.

TikTok is rapidly growing and is the most used social media platforms dominated
by Gen Z. TikTok has an algorithm where it present videos on you ‘For You
Page”. This is where videos are placed on your page that you may find
interesting or similar videos to what you have liked in the past. It is purely based
off engagement and interaction, as the more engaged you are with certain
videos, the more they will be shown on the app. Algorithms are highly based on
your identity and what makes you more entertained as an individual. Virós-Martín
(2024) expresses that TikTok is an app where the algorithm matches the identity
of the user, making it more enjoyable to watch. Making it more entertaining can
lead to these users giving the app more attention by constantly scrolling for hours on end (Blackburn & Hogg, (2024).
TikTok has become a modern Third Place for Gen Z users which provides the
space to engage and become a part of a community. It displays an informal and
accessible place to communicate and bring communities together as a whole. It
is used for engagement, community building and self-expression which makes it
feel like a home away from home. Networked public is a space created by
technology to build communities and share information (Mwangi & Buvár, 2024).
TikTok is seen as a networked public due to its algorithms, shared trends and
user generated content. This app is also a high scalable social media platform
where videos made by users can reach up to millions of views instantly and can
also result in gaining a massive following. Community and collective identity are
described as feeling the sense of belonging and creating the same shared values
within a group (Mwangi & Buvár, 2024). TikTok has fostered an environment
where communities can come together and develop the same interests and
values based on each other identities. However, TikTok has also had a massive
influence on visual culture where self-worth has become linked to appearance
and receiving validation from viewers on the app (Blackburn & Hogg, (2024).
Because of social media, Gen Z has created a cultural obsession with self
presentation and beauty standards for online users to be ‘socially accepted’ in
today’s society. Gen Z are becoming more and more concerned about how they
are represented and perceived online (Blackburn & Hogg, (2024).

TikTok has contributed widely to the unrealistic body image and beauty
standards that are present in today’s society, effecting the minds of Gen Z. It is
damaging to Gen Z as it is constantly exposing them to content that include filters, editing, comparisons and video trends (Wang, 2023). These editing tools
can include making your nose look smaller, eyes bigger or skin smoother. There
is also one filter in particular that is known by most TikTok users called the
‘Beauty filter’ in which it blurs out any imperfections making your face appear
naturally smooth. This contributes to users creating a negative perception of
themselves, making them feel less attractive whilst also being ‘unfiltered’
(Mwangi & Buvár 2024). TikTok has formed a widespread use of filters, trends
and influencer culture. It plays a massive part in shaping Gen Z identity and how
they perceive themselves whilst also being constantly exposed to content with
idolised body and beauty standards. Wang, (2023) explores the relationship
between social anxiety and appearance due to beauty filter used on TikTok.
According to Wang, (2023) “Social anxiety may drive the adoption of beauty
filters as a coping mechanism amongst females, effecting their self-esteem and
reliance on digital enhancers”. There are many other trends that have surfaced and seen as ‘socially accepted’ videos such as “what I eat in a day” or ‘glow up with me”. These are trends that enforce these unrealistic body image and beauty standards. Someone who is perceived as petite may be leaving Gen Z viewers thinking they need to eat exactly what they eat in order to get the same body or the exact same beauty routine to look attractive like the influencer (Blackburn & Hogg, (2024). This is very much not the case, as everyone’s body is different and filter or editing may be used to look more appealing. TikTok has created a space where Gen Z users have started to catagorise their bodies and beauty, and idealised body trends.
Gen Z users are constantly comparing themselves and seeking validation from
strangers to feel socially accepted in today’s society with how they present
themselves online (Blackburn & Hogg, (2024).

Digital wellbeing is the state of health and balance someone maintains whilst
using technology and social media platforms (Virós-Martín et al., 2024). Virós
Martín et al., (2024) states that TikTok is affecting Gen Z digital wellbeing due to
the lack of balance and awareness. This all ties into the risks of mental health
such as depression, low self-esteem and eating disorders. Gen Z lives are greatly tied to digital technology and to achieve digital wellbeing there needs to
be a balance and boundaries set as it affects the identity of individuals. In
another article, Mironica (2024) states that social media platforms such as TikTok
can even give viewers the motivation to undergo cosmetic surgery because of
these idolised and digital enhancing images. This is a result of body
dissatisfaction and thinking that going through with cosmetic surgery is the only
cure for satisfaction. Mironica (2024) also states that through 25 studies with
13,731 participants, 65% of Gen Z are reported to be dissatisfied with their
bodies, leading to a higher percentage of cosmetic surgery consideration. This
ultimately highlights that these social media platforms such as TikTok are
damaging to the minds of Gen Z because of the demand for a perfect aesthetic
(Blackburn & Hogg, (2024).
Even though TikTok has created an unrealistic expectation of body image and
beauty standards, we continue to see communities within Gen Z spread body
positivity and promoting empowerment (Kyei-Gyamfi, 2024). Many users on this
app today stand for ‘Your perfect just the way you are’ and ignore the stigma that
surrounds always needing to be up to the unrealistic standards and expectations
that social media has created.
There is a significant amount of diversity and representation on the platform
today. This allows different communities within Genz to express themselves and
create their own identity. These communities can include people of colour,
people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community (Cohen et al., 2021). These
communities allow a space where users can express themselves and to make
viewers feel accepted for who they are. Some users are even going as far as
exposing themselves and show casing realistic videos that people can relate to
(Cohen et al., 2021). Kyei-Gyamfi (2024) suggests that society has stuck an
extreme amount of focus on the negative significance of being on social media
like TikTok which has blurred the positive side to it. He also states that it has
created a space for Gen Z to be a part of a community and network as well as
creating your identity. He also believes it is a great source of entertainment,
resources for creativity, research and bringing communities together.
Hashtag activism is highly used in TikTok. In every video you can post, using
hashtags can make your video reach more viewers on the app. Hashtag activism
are words or phrases used after a hashtag. It can be used to raise awareness or
show support for a cause or movement (Cohen et al., 2021). One big hashtag
activism used on the platform is ‘#BodyPositivity’. Users add this to their videos
to spread awareness and promote all body types and to challenge unrealistic
beauty standards presented (Cohen et al., 2021). A trend on TikTok has recently
surfaced to the platform of the ‘deinfluencing’ trend where users make videos of
them exposing themselves with their realistic beauty routines and spreading body
positivity which makes viewers feel like they can be more relatable for viewers
(Cohen et al., 2021).

The platform also allows a space where people can educate and support each
other. This could look like having mental health discussions and support groups.
Expressed in their article, Pluta & Siuda (2024) disclose that TikTok has spread a
great amount of awareness and education on cancer. Allowing cancer patients to
educate users and support those who are in the same situation. This enables a
space of belonging and collective community identity. There is also an eating
disorder recovery community where users share their stories to be able to help
others recover from these hurdles and to provide resources, tell their stories and
give support (Pluta & Siuda 2024).
TikTok is the most used social media app for Gen Z and is both a harmful and
empowering platform. It’s a modern third place where users can have informal
communications and build on communities and networks. There is a rise of
positive outcomes as it is becoming a more inspiring platform. There is a growing
movement of users moving away from traditional beauty and body image trends
(Cohen et al., 2021). However, the negative outcomes outweigh these positives
as they are damaging to the wellbeing of Gen Z individuals. These harms can
lead to consequences of mental health problems, community and network
exclusion and loss of identity (Catherine & Literat, 2023). Due to the scalability of
the app, both harmful and also empowering messages can be spread. Even
though the platform has safety measures in place, it still needs to exceed and is
important for stricter regulations of content so that it reduces the harm on Gen Z.
By promoting these idealised body and beauty standards it increases the
algorithm to display more beauty focused content (Mwangi & Buvár, 2024). As
TikTok continues to grow and be used more frequently, the digital wellbeing and
awareness of Gen Z needs to be promoted to ensure that there is a decrease in
idealisation of body image and beauty standards.

References
Catherine, C. S., & Literat, I. (2023). #GenZ on TikTok: the collective online self-
Portrait of the social media generation. Journal of Youth Studies, 26(7),
925-946. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2022.2053671

Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2021). The case for body positivity on
social media: Perspectives on current advances and future
directions. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(13), 2365-2373. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320912450

Blackburn, M. R., & Hogg, R. C. (2024). #ForYou? the impact of pro-ana TikTok
content on body image dissatisfaction and internalisation of societal
beauty standards. PloS One, 19(8)https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307597

Kyei-Gyamfi, S. (2024). The Benefits of Social Media Among Children Aged 8 to
17 in Tema Metropolitan Area in Ghana. Sage
Open, 14(3)https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241278546

Mironica, A., Popescu, C. A., George, D., Tegzeșiu, A. M., & Gherman, C. D.
(2024). Social Media Influence on Body Image and Cosmetic Surgery
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Mwangi, Z., & Buvár, Á. (2024). The beauty complex: social media trends,
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Pluta, M., & Siuda, P. (2024). Educating Cancer on TikTok: Expanding Online
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Wang, Y. (2023). Exploring the Relationship Between Social Anxiety Concerning
Appearance and the Economic Implications of TikTok’s Beauty Filters
among Female Athletes in China. Revista De Psicología Del
Deporte, 32(4), 198-202. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly
journals/exploring-relationship-between-social
anxiety/docview/2888622077/se-2

Virós-Martín, C., Montaña-Blasco, M., & Jiménez-Morales, M. (2024). Can’t stop
scrolling! Adolescents’ patterns of TikTok use and digital well-being self
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