The causes and effects of appearance anxiety among young people on social media platforms

Nowadays, with the continuous development of the information society integrating multimedia, young people, as the mainstream group of Internet consumers, are experiencing appearance anxiety, which signifies individuals’ unease about their own appearance. Its prevalence also indicates a widespread lack of confidence among youth. Based on current literature, this article aims to analyze the causes and consequences of appearance anxiety on social media. Research shows that appearance anxiety is related to upbringing, societal pressures, and media portrayal of beauty standards. Consequently, youth resort to unhealthy practices, especially plastic surgery, to conform to the beauty standards on social media, risking both physical and mental health. Moreover, this obsession disrupts traditional and societal values, impacting youth ideologies. Addressing appearance anxiety necessitates recognizing its detrimental effects and promoting healthier perceptions of beauty.