The Transformation Journey Begins
When I turned 18, most of my friends were eagerly anticipating their first legal drink at a bar or a night out at a club. However, for me, the excitement was all about the appointment I had scheduled to change my appearance. Ever since I was around 13, I had been dreaming of getting lip fillers. My lips seemed small and uneven, and looking back, they probably resembled the innocent lips of a child. But in contrast to the beauty ideals I was constantly exposed to online, I felt a deep desire for change.
Growing up, social media was an integral part of my life. Instagram launched when I was just eight years old, and by the time I entered secondary school at 11, I had already joined all the major platforms. Although the minimum age for creating an account is currently 13, a small adjustment to my birth date allowed me early access.
Influenced by the Digital World
I quickly became hooked, spending countless hours scrolling through my feeds. I was bombarded with images and videos that made a lasting impact on my young psyche: transformations showcasing lip fillers, Botox, and cheek enhancements. I would often analyze the faces of strangers and then scrutinize my own reflection in the mirror. I began to think that I needed bigger lips, a smaller nose, and perhaps even Botox or cheek fillers to achieve the look I desired.
I soon realized I wasn’t alone in these feelings. A previous survey conducted by Save Face, which maintains a national register of accredited cosmetic practitioners, revealed that over half (59 percent) of respondents aged 13 to 24 regarded cosmetic procedures like lip fillers as accessible as a haircut or manicure.
The Call for Change
In response to the growing concern over the influence of social media on young people, the Government is now exploring ways to make phones and online platforms safer. Recently, Members of Parliament voted on the Safer Phones Bill. Former teacher Josh MacAlister, who proposed the private bill, initially supported raising the minimum age for social media access to 16 and banning phones in classrooms. However, this proposal faced opposition, leading to calls for chief medical officers to review evidence on screen-related harms within a year before deciding on any age restrictions.
Generation Z, who have been at the forefront of this issue, largely support these changes. We have witnessed the adverse effects social media has had on our mental health. A poll conducted by The New Britain Project and More in Common think tanks, in collaboration with the National Education Union, found that 62 percent of Gen Z believe social media does more harm than good. Additionally, three-quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds feel that stricter regulations are necessary to protect young people from potential harm, and 40 percent admitted that online platforms negatively impact their self-esteem.
The Make-Up and Editing Trap
Social media didn’t just fuel my desire for fillers; it also influenced my approach to makeup. My mother and aunts rarely wore makeup, but by 14, I had mastered the art of contouring to create a slimmer appearance and learned to hide my teenage blemishes. Social media was my teacher.
If reality didn’t align with my expectations, there was always the option to edit my images. I refused to post a photo without a filter, and the mere thought of my parents sharing an unfiltered image of me was horrifying.
Looking Back
At the time, I didn’t recognize the harmful impact of the content I consumed, but now, I see it as the driving force behind my cosmetic procedures, my obsession with working out to alter my body, and my persistent low self-esteem. I feel a sense of pity for my younger self.
Maisie Pallister, who amassed over 35,000 followers on Twitter before turning 16, shares her regrets about her time spent online as a teenager. “I struggled with severe anxiety, and I attributed it to social media. I constantly felt judged based on my looks and found myself comparing myself to others. Eventually, I retreated from the world,” she confides in The i Paper.
Pallister first joined Facebook at 11, followed by Instagram and Snapchat two years later. She encountered inappropriate messages from older men, leading her to normalize their behavior. Like me, she worries about the younger generations. “I wouldn’t let my kids use a platform like this at a young age, especially not a public account,” she states.
My older sister, who also got Facebook and Instagram at 13, agrees with these sentiments. “It was a breeding ground for bullying in school. Online, people could hide behind anonymity, sending horrible messages,” she recalls. We both share a commitment to ensuring our future children don’t have the same online exposure we did. “I want them to appreciate the world as it is, not the distorted reality that Instagram presents,” she asserts.
Now at 26, my sister still finds herself comparing her life to others online. Many people her age are homeowners, parents, or business owners, and it’s easy to get lost in this skewed portrayal of reality, where breakups, financial struggles, and job losses are seldom seen. “It’s harmful to only see the highlights,” she adds.
The Psychological Impact
Numerous studies have established a connection between social media use and heightened levels of depression and anxiety, with many younger individuals feeling that the online environment has become increasingly toxic in recent years. Dr. Elena Touroni, a psychologist specializing in addictive behaviors, notes, “While social media can foster a sense of community, it often leads to unhealthy comparisons and a distorted self-image. The pressure to conform to unattainable standards can trigger anxiety.”
As I reflect on my experiences, I can’t help but feel that social media has profoundly distorted my generation’s perception of beauty and self-worth. I am genuinely concerned about what the online landscape will look like in 20 years as future generations embark on their social media journeys. Without social media, I doubt I would have pursued fillers or even felt compelled to wear makeup. I would have embraced the natural aging process instead of artificially altering my appearance.
