‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that Generation Z are obsessed with their phones’ said Jane Austen… never! Studies show that approximately 75% of people check them within 10 minutes of waking up! Although used for many purposes such as making and receiving calls, the ability to watch videos or listen to music and gaming, it is important to shed light on the crisis of phone addiction and how this affects our generation today.
Described in its simplest form, addiction is the tipping point at which compulsion turns into dependency. Of the 95% of teens who have their own smartphones, more than a third reporting to the National Institute of Health (NIH) that used social media ‘almost constantly’ - 25% increase since a decade ago. Young people are becoming increasingly obsessed with smartphones and statistics prove the increasingly excessive use of mobile phones for purposes such as social media or gaming apps. Out of those who have a mobile phone, 95% of youths aged 13-17 admitted to using social media daily.
By its not only young people that use social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. As of October 2024, 63% of the world’s population use social media and approximately 410,000 new users join social media every day. Although social media can be beneficial, such as being used to create new connections, make new friends and strengthen relationships with the ability to stay connected to people anywhere in the world, it also has its disadvantages. Between 30-90% of people reveal that they have edited their photos at least once on Instagram, and creates unrealistic standards for impressionable young generations.
Some of the primary issues concerning editing pictures for social media:
1. Distorted beauty standards: Edited images create unrealistic standards of beauty that are often unattainable. For many the ‘perfect’ look seen online becomes the standard, which does not reflect real-world diversity.
2. Negative self-esteem and body image: Constant exposure can negatively affect self-esteem, especially for young people who are still forming their self-identity. Comparison often leads to dissatisfaction and negative self-image, particularly common among teens and young adults.
3. Increased anxiety and depression: Studies show that frequent social media usage correlates with higher levels of mental health issues. Social comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and even depression.
4. Pressure to edit photos: There is a social pressure where people feel compelled to alter their appearance to meet the online standards, perpetuating the issue.
5. Risk of body dysmorphia and disordered eating: The comparison to idealised images can worsen or trigger body dysmorphia and can even lead to harmful behaviour like disordered eating to achieve idealised body shapes.
However, several efforts are underway to help mitigate the negative impact of edited images, with platforms and influencers aiming to raise awareness about the reality of photo editing. Additionally, campaigns such as Dove’s Self-Esteem project aim to promote body diversity by offering educational resources for young people about digital distortion and the realities of edited images. Popular figures such as Jameela Jamil and Celeste Barber openly criticise photo editing and advocate for more authenticity online. In an interview, local teenager, Saskia Pepper comments that ‘influential figures are very important in spreading awareness and encourage our youth to stay genuine online and be aware of the dangers connected to social media. Although there is still a long way to go in terms of raising awareness around the fake ‘reality’ of social media, it is important to recognise the positive steps that have already been made by influential figures and platforms, in the hope that this continues.’
