[Lifestyle] This is how social media filters distort our image towards ourselves and others

[LiunxZm12]

Amman - Many users of social networking sites feel the desire to present themselves in the best possible way, so what is the motive for this behavior, and does the user feel satisfied the more the “filter” of the image increases, or does it drain self-esteem?

Consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Mazen Maqbala, notes that in 2015, plastic surgeons around the world called the term “Snapchat Dysmorphia” in an attempt to describe the massive and rapid increase in the number of plastic surgeries to modify the external shape of the face to match the images of individuals. Through "SnapChat", after using the filters in the application.

And the obsession with the “perfect appearance” was accompanied by a race on social media platforms to add more “filters” for free photo editing, as a way to attract users and increase their attachment to the platform, and here was the disaster, according to Dr. Moqabla, who explained that the current situation has caused an increase in a type of Psychological disorders known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which is an obsessive disorder that causes an individual to feel excessive anxiety due to defects in the shape or features of his face or body, even if they are not visible to others.

"This conviction continues in the person even when performing various plastic surgeries, which leads him to lose his self-esteem and self-confidence, and it may lead to anxiety disorders and depression if he does not receive psychological treatment early," Dr. Muqabla said in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net.

He adds, "Therefore, awareness must be spread about the danger of these applications on the individual's psyche and his view of himself, especially adolescents, as they are the most age group suffering from body dysmorphic disorder."

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Sociology specialist Dr. Muhammad Al-Juraibe believes that we live today in a virtual world, as a result of the increasing use of social media, so that the published topics have become virtual, as well as relationships, and even beauty has become virtual.

He explains to Al-Jazeera Net, "This matter made us move away from reality, and no one denies that communication sites constitute a large part of our lives, but unfortunately, they have become the engine of all our behaviors, ideas and habits, and were used as one of the references that we return to in every step we take, even at parties and events we use the means Social media to present ourselves in the best way.

Al-Jaribee points out that people are now using social media platforms for social comparisons, and a way to show themselves, and usually, many individuals resort to this behavior when they do not have a high and complete self-esteem.

The exaggerated use of "filters" and the obsession with comparing one's self-image with the images of others on social media contributed to the emergence of psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and loss of self-confidence, according to al-Jariba'.

Negative effects of "filters"
A study conducted by researchers at the University of London, in 2021, showed the depth of the negative effects of “filters” on mental health.

The study included 175 young men and women, whose ages ranged between 18 and 30 years, and concluded the following statistics about the negative effects of “filters”:

94% of the participants said they felt pressure to appear a certain way, and more than half of those said the pressure was intense.
  And 70% felt pressure to project an ideal life.
  And 86% said that their presence on social media does not reflect their real life.
"Young women told us that these standards of attractiveness are unattainable, toxic, and make them unhappy," the researchers said.

They pointed out that young people who suffer from low self-esteem and poor body image are more likely to use "filters", which reinforces the negative belief that their appearance is not good enough.

Tips for using Filters
The previous source provided a set of tips for using “filters”, which are:

Audit your profile picture: Pay attention to how much time you spend filtering and posting and how you feel. What is your mood like during and after the editing and publishing process? Once you post, do you keep obsessively checking for reactions and comparing your photos to others? The answers may help you move forward and be more protective of your self-esteem and body image.
Consider the message you're sending to yourself: every time you filter a selfie, you're telling yourself, consciously or unconsciously, that you don't look good enough as you really are. You're buying into a kind of social media distortion, a world where everyone makes false versions of themselves, trying to live up to traditional standards of beauty.
Embrace Yourself: Remember that our "imperfections" are part of what makes us fun, real, and relatable. Practice self-compassion, and try to value yourself for all of your qualities, not just those that can be seen in a selfie. Building a caring, supportive relationship with yourself will help you build authentic relationships with others.
Think about what you could do instead: Spending less time editing and publishing could mean more time hanging out, having face-to-face interactions, or doing something creative. Thus, you can invest such time in pursuing more meaningful hobbies or accomplishments in your life.

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