The effect is even more prominent in young women who are more vulnerable to a thin ideal.
Feeling a little down after spending a few hours on your social media? The recipe for alleviating this discomfort may be simpler than you think: take a break. A new study shows that quitting internet use for a week produces a significant improvement in self-esteem and body image.
Work from the University of York, Canada, published earlier this month in the scientific journal Body Image, showed that this effect is even more important in young women, who are more vulnerable to a thin ideal.
The break proposed by the researchers included: Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Even among participants less concerned about their bodies and appearance, resting in hammocks had a positive effect.
New technologies and the use of screens have accentuated issues related to idealized standards of beauty and body image, previously limited to more conventional media with a more limited reach, such as magazines and billboards. As a result, the problems intensified.
Spending a week without comparing yourself to others and exchanging time spent online for healthier habits, such as physical activity, walking outdoors, meeting friends and better sleep, may be part of the mechanisms that produce a feeling of well-being in people who “wean” from the networks.
Taking into account that adolescents are even more vulnerable to problems of insecurity, self-esteem and body image, and that their use of social networks tends to be more frequent than in other age groups, it is possible that this effect of the forced break is even more significant for them, especially for girls.
Another recent study from the University of Toronto, also in Canada, showed that around 17% of teenagers say they have experienced bullying related to their weight on the Internet, especially on platforms such as X and Twitch. Around 12,000 young people aged 10 to 17 were interviewed in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom. The results were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
According to the survey, young people spent around 7.5 hours of free time in front of screens. There was a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of technology use. In this way, less time online can mean less exposure to the risk of multiple violence, which helps improve self-esteem and perception of body image.
The findings of the two studies strengthen the position and guidance of experts in digital behavior. If possible, postpone children’s contact with social media as much as possible, monitor the time spent in front of the screen and work on the topic of digital education for children: it is important that they learn from an early age to create filters and recognize what it can bring discomfort, risks and discomfort in your life. This makes it easier for them to control the use of networks and technologies. This applies to both conversations at home and discussions at school.
Have you been able to do this work with your children and students?
*Jairo Bouer is a psychiatrist and writes weekly for Terra Você.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
