Could “Snapchat Dysmorphia” Be Hurting Your Self-Esteem? | Psychology Today

Source: Cottonbro/Pexels Selfies and the use of popular “beauty-enhancing” filters and photo editing features have been linked to body dissatisfaction and unhappiness in both men and women of all ages—from children and adolescents to young adults and older. Several studies have shown that taking a selfie and editing the photo with various filters have been linked to negative moods and unhappiness about one’s body and face. Furthermore, the more time that one spends editing the photo predicts just how dissatisfied one is with their facial appearance—that means the more you spend perfecting your selfies, the more dissatisfied you may become about your self-image. Selfies have become a way of life for millions of smartphone users. In 2019, Google reported that its Android devices take 93 million selfies per day. A survey of 18- to-24-year-olds found that every third photo they take is a selfie. Researchers have even found a link between people using social media photograph filters with more of an acceptance and need for cosmetic surgery as well as lower self-esteem. This phenomenon has become so widespread that dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons are calling this issue “Snapchat dysmorphia.” Though Snapchat dysmorphia is not an official diagnosis, there do appear…
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