Are you consumed by social media? Media today has become a frenzy. Beyond the communication aspect the latest “alarming trend” described in an article published in the Washington Post describes the cyberculture as a new phenomenon not only for the “selfie-takers” but as a booming commodity on the rise for doctors and the plastic surgery market. A recent survey disclosed that “Americans spent an estimated 16 billion on cosmetically surgeries” alone.
Is selfie-dysmorphia real? Sadly, yes. The new filters that are associated with popular social networks such as instagram and snapchat, have allowed people to view themselves with filters that change various features on the face to make them appear flawless sometimes referred to as a virtual body exchange. Such features can enhance the skin tone, make your nose appear thinner and even create the perfect lashes. The problem with distorted media images has shifted from being majority of celebrities to your average person being able to appear perfect. Doctors are now faced with several patients coming in requesting their surgery to match their edited selfie photos.
“This is an alarming trend because those filtered selfies often present an unattainable look and are blurring the line of reality and fantasy for these patients” (Washington Post, 2018).
Millennial’s are being confronted with new demands to meet the acceptance of their peers and gain status on social media. These filters are creating self-esteem and insecurity issues for all ages. Doctors are being confronted with new ethical issues regarding requests from clients and their responsibility to assess the suitability and practicality of the surgery.
Sociologist Lisa Jean Moore and Mary Kosut discuss social media trends in The Body Reader and how the normalities of the western culture and surgical modification have changed the way the body is experienced and perceived. They describe the obsession of appearance, in some cases, extreme as it remains in popular demand.
This dilemma is far from over but I challenge you as a reader to take part in the #NofilterChallenge streaming on all major networks. Take a step in learning to accept yourself.
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Unruly Bodies 
Thank you so much for posting about this Washington Post article! I have been thinking for the longest time that people today have a much easier (or at least more external) job of image management than folks had in the 1700s. At that time, commercial culture was really taking off and managing your consumer goods and public persona took on new meanings. Performative hospitality of the period meant that you had to physically embody all the latest trends: wear clothes and use stuff like a boss, get your hair did beautifully–and it all happened live. It was so different than “hosting” people on a variety of social media platforms where you virtually allow people into your life, and the ways you can control your own image by external means (filters, etc.) is now spiraling out even further. For a fun look at the concept of instagram of the 1700s, check out this spoof ad done by Ikea a couple of years ago: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-how-did-people-instagram-18th-century-ikea-envisions-just-172784/
Thank you I will definitely look into it !
The media definitely has a us obsessed with how we look and present our bodies to the world these days. I feel like social media has created this image of what are bodies should look like and most try their best to achieve this look. But that is easier said than done, so a good portion of the population tries to get this desirable look through plastic surgery. 16 billion dollars spent on plastic surgery is a crazy, but I am not surprised its so high in numbers. Personally, when I use social media like Snapchat/Instagram I will always put a filter on it to ‘perfect the image’. There’s nothing wrong with the photos, yet I still always put a filter on them subconsciously. I also know many of my friends also do the same thing. I feel like posting something with out a filter on social media would be outside of the norm, since so many individuals do it.
Furthermore, I liked that you brought up how doctors should confront these issues. I feel like a lot of people go into their appointments thinking that their body isn’t perfect enough and want to change things that aren’t ‘flawed’. My friend recently had a nose job and wants more things done to her (lip injections, breast implants). Whenever she brings this up, I always tell her that she looks perfect and her response is “I could always look better”. My thoughts on this is that social media definitely impacts her self concept and makes her see things ‘wrong’ about her body. Great article, I enjoyed reading it!
Hello, I agree with you that we as a society tend to put way too many filters and pressure on ourselves to look “better”. What is really better though? It’s comparing ourselves to famous people which is kind of crazy because they have too much money and tend to in my opinion get too much plastic surgery. I think everyone is beautiful in their own way and we are taking that away from ourselves. I hope that society stops this soon because I think it’s getting out of hand. I agree that we should try a no filter challenge and we should support one another and our flaws.