Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Eating Disorder Development, Body Image, and Mental Health Outcomes in College-Age Women

This thesis examines the correlation between social media use and the development of self-esteem, body image, and disordered eating issues in college-age women. In an environment where online content shapes identity and self-worth, social media companies like TikTok and Instagram become places where unrealistic beauty standards are pushed through edited photos, misleading health advice, and emotionally manipulative algorithms. This thesis analyzes different types of online content that reinforce unattainable standards, such as edited photos and “what I eat in a day” videos. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is also analyzed in terms of its contribution to social media usage and reliance. In addition, it argues that social media platforms profit off of users’ insecurities, prioritizing monetization nd engagement over user wellbeing. Along with the analysis, this thesis includes a creative writing portion that examines the perspectives of users and content creators online and how each of them is impacted by the negative aspects of social media.