How the Exposure to Beauty Ideals on Social Networking Sites Influences Body Image: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Sharing and viewing photos on social networking sites (SNSs) have been identifed as particularly problematic for body image. Although correlational research to date has established that SNS use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, only experimental studies can enhance confdence in the conclusions drawn. For this reason, this systematic review synthesizes data from 43 experimental studies (N=8637; %F=89.56; mean age=21.58±1.78) examining the efect of viewing idealized images (i.e., attractive, thin, and ft) and body positive content on SNSs on body image. Two studies were conducted on adolescents. Each study had slight variations in how the images were presented for each category (e.g., selfes and photos taken by others). The wide variability in experimental stimuli and psychological moderators used in the published research make a systematic review more feasible and meaningful than a meta-analysis. Findings indicate that viewing idealized images on SNSs lead to increased body dissatisfaction among young women and men. State appearance comparison (i.e., engaging in social comparison while viewing images) signifcantly mediated the efect, whereas trait appearance comparison (i.e., the relatively stable general tendency to engage in social comparison) was a signifcant moderator. Mixed results were found regarding the exposure to body positive images/captions. Viewing images on SNSs depicting unattainable beauty ideals leads young people to feel dissatisfed about their bodies, with appearance comparison processing playing an important role. More research is required to assess the long-term efects.