Arnecia Paul

10/18/19
1st Hr
Public Speaking
Persuasive Speech
Why Social Media affects young adults self image and self esteem
● Did you know that 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating
disorder in the US. 3% of that 30 million are young adults ranging from 15-25 years old.
Most of the time that reason why eating disorders develop is because of how we perceive
are bodies and having low self esteem that can steam from the usage of social media.
● Social media affects young adults self- image and self esteem because it increases the
chances of developing a mental and/or physical disorder, cyberbullying, and it gives the
wrong message to young adults.
● As a young adult myself social media have affected the way I view my body and self
esteem in many ways. Ever since I was in about the 4th grade I’ve always felt self
conscious about my body because almost everyone on instagram, twitter, Tv, and even
people around me look exactly the same, which is small and skinny. That also brought
along my low self esteem because I didn’t feel good nor comfortable about my own body.
II.
● One big reason why social media affects young adult self image and self esteem is
because it increases the chances of developing a mental and/or physical disorder. The
time young adults spend on social media is usually 9 hours per day. Within those hours
people may run across the images of the “perfect body” or unrealistic portrayal of beauty.
Many people, especially young adults feel the need to have validation from their peers to
make them feel good. Some may go to extreme lengths to seek that validation like
starving themselves or making themselves throw up. One of the reasons eating disorders
may develop is because of the intense desire to achieve an impossible standard. Since
we’re on social media 24/7 it’s causing body image distortions that are so deep that it can
bring on a lifetime struggle with an eating disorder. The Development can be so bad that
it can result in receiving treatment at a centre or even death. Not only can someone
suffer with an eating disorder but they may also struggle with a mental disorder as well.
The exposure to unrealistic images of bodies can lead to a sense of self deprecation and
low self esteem that can impact health- related behavior such as depression, anxiety, or
even suicidal thoughts.
● Mental and/or physical disorders may be a consequence of the effects social media has on
a young adult self image and self esteem but people themselves and comments they make
online can have a big impact as well.
● Another big reason why social media affect young adults self image and self esteem is
because of cyberbullying. Since social media is a huge way for people to share status and
 pictures about themselves, some people may use it shame others about many things from
something they’ve done to their bodies publicly online. Body shaming is very humiliating
act that often have long painful consequences because it mocks and stigmatized people,
which tears down their self respect and perpetuating the harmful idea that our unique
physical appearances should be compared to what “perfect” should be. This can be very
damaging to young adults self image and self esteem because this be very traumatizing
and humiliating to them, which can bring their self esteem down very low. Even though
body shaming is one form of cyberbully, making general negative comments about
anything of someone can be another form. Words can hurt but when you say nasty
comments publicly where everyone can see, like online it can be very hurtful. Things like
nitpicking with someone or calling them an offensive name can affect some self image
and self esteem because it doesn’t make them feel good and makes them keep to
themselves more often.
● Cyberbully can be damaging to young adults self image and self esteem but the message
that is given to young adults about beauty can be very damaging because it’s wrong.
● One last big reason social media affects young adults self image and self esteem because
it simply gives the wrong message out to people. The standard of “beauty” social media
gives us is unrealistic. The majority of images are photoshopped to make models look
like they have the “perfect body”. Unfortunately millions of young adults believe the lies
given and resort to unhealthy measures to fit in. Another reason why social media gives
the wrong message is simply because no one is perfect. There is no perfect body because
everyone comes in all shapes and sizes, which makes them unique but sadly social media
have taken on this “standard” that everyone should achieve to make them beautiful,
which is ruining young adults self image and self esteem because they feel like they
don’t fit in.
III.
● Social media can affect young adults self image and self esteem because it can increase
the chance of developing disorders, cyberbullying, and it gives a false message about
beauty. Don’t allow society to turn you into something you are not not because the only
way you can achieve happiness is to be true to yourself.