How Instagram turns our body image - new study from Osnabrück!

How Instagram turns our body image - new study from Osnabrück!

More and more people are using social media to give insights into their lives, especially through images of themselves. This development has also put research on the body image in the spotlight, especially with platforms like Instagram. According to psychologist Kristine Schönhals from the University of Osnabrück, posting her own pictures is much more formative than mere passive consumption of content. Your research project "Like My Life" specifically examines the effects of the post on Instagram on the body image and the mood of users in everyday life.

The project is made by Prof. Dr. Silja Vocks guided and includes participation, which consists of several steps. First of all, the participants have to fill out a basic online request. This is followed by a training date that is offered both online and in presence. The participants will be asked about their smartphone for their everyday life over four weeks. As an incentive, you will receive a desired voucher worth up to 30 euros. Interested parties can contact Kristine Schönhals or the studio team or take part in a linked link directly. This underlines how committed the research is to gain a deeper insight into social media and its influence on psychological well-being, such as uni--osnabrueck.de reported.

Influence of the processing of photos on the body image

A current study by the Leibniz Institute for Media Research/Hans Bredow Institute, which was created on behalf of the Commission for Youth Media Protection (KJM), reveals further worrying trends. The study shows that the labeling of edited photos in social networks leads to increased dissatisfaction with your own body. The more intensive consideration of such marked content is identified as the cause of this dissatisfaction. It is also found that algorithms on social media have a significant influence on the body image of young people by often reinforcing unrealistic ideals of beauty.

The report suggests that the algorithms adapt so that more realistic body representations are promoted. Platforms have the option of implementing these measures either voluntarily or as part of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The aim is to ensure a balance between the protection of children and adolescents and freedom of information. The KJM plans to present the results of the study both legislators and the social platforms in order to initiate an active dialogue about the protection of minors in digital space, such as Zeit.de reported.

lawful framework and youth protection

The KJM is the central supervisory center for youth protection on private broadcasting and the Internet of the state media institutions. Your approach to regulation is supported by the DSA, which stipulates that social networks are obliged to take measures to protect users from illegal content and to improve transparency. These guidelines are particularly important in order to take into account the psychological well -being of the users in an increasingly digitized world.

The close connection between social media, body image and mental health is underlined by the above studies and research projects such as "Like My Life". Such initiatives are crucial to raise awareness of these topics and to find solutions that support users. Further information on this is available in a comprehensive report on Ulb-dok.uibk.ac.at