Running head: TIME SPENT SNS AND BODY IMAGE CONCERNS
The relationship between time spent on SNS and body image concerns among adolescent girls
Review paper Adolescence Development
Abstract
,TIME SPENT SNS AND BODY IMAGE CONCERNS
Recently, time spent on social networking sites (SNS) has increased as well as the
concerns about the potential positive correlational link between time spent on SNS and an
adolescent girl’s body image. Since a girl with a decreased body image is at risk for eating
disorders, research is needed. This paper examines whether time spent on SNS is linked to
body image concerns among adolescent girls. Five recent articles have been reviewed to
describe the cross-sectional and longitudinal findings on the link between time spent on SNS
and body image concerns. Results based on these articles suggest that there is a link between
time spent on SNS and body image concerns. However, these studies show many
inconsistencies in their methods which may affect the results. Thus, due to inconsistencies, it
cannot be concluded whether there is a relationship between time spent on SNS and body
image concerns among adolescent girls.
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, TIME SPENT SNS AND BODY IMAGE CONCERNS
Introduction
Over the past few years, social media network sites (SNS), such as Facebook and
Instagram, have become increasingly popular among adolescents (Fardouly, Magson, Rapee,
Johnco, & Oar, 2020). On these SNS, adolescents can make their own profile, share
information and chat with friends (Tiggemann & Slater, 2017). The widespread use of SNS
has also raised concerns about the potential negative effects of SNS on adolescent girls (10-18
years), such as their body image. When becoming an adolescent, a girl’s body dramatically
changes (de Vries, Peter, & de Graaf, 2015). During this period adolescent girls are more
likely to be dissatisfied with their body. This makes them at risk, since there is a link between
a decrease in body image and eating disorders (Meier & Gray, 2014; de Vries et al., 2015).
Researchers have often examined the negative impact of the usage of SNS on the body
image of adolescent girls. According to these studies, adolescent girls who use SNS compare
their appearance more often and are more driven to become thin than adolescent girls who do
not use SNS (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). Previous research also found that adolescent girls
who use SNS frequently, are more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies (Fardouly &
Vartanian, 2016). Whereas other studies claim that time spent on SNS is not associated with
body image concerns among adolescent girls (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016).
Yet, whether there is a relationship between time spent on SNS and body image
concerns among adolescent girls is still unknown. Findings of previous studies are
contradicted and are inconsistent in defining the concept of body image concerns (Fardouly &
Vartanian, 2016). Therefore, this paper examines whether there is a relationship between time
spent on SNS and body image concerns among adolescent girls by critically reviewing the
findings of five empirical articles. The review is divided into three cross-sectional studies and
two longitudinal studies. In order to give a suited answer to the question, the studies will also
be critically reviewed together. Since, SNS play a major role in the lives of adolescent girls
and are at risk for a decreasing body image with associated eating disorders, it is important to
investigate if time spent on SNS is related to body image concerns among adolescent girls
(Fardouly et al., 2020; de Vries et al., 2015). Filling this gap in the literature leads to a better
understanding of the link between time spent on SNS and body image concerns, which may
lead to more effective prevention of body image concerns among adolescent girls (Meier &
Gray, 2014).
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