Beauty Norms On The Internet
A guide with tips for confidently dealing with beauty norms in virtual worlds
1. Why might the topic be relevant for me?
You’re scrolling through your social media feed. Perfect skin, flawless bodies, stylish outfits – it seems like everyone online looks amazing all the time. After a while, you start comparing yourself to the people in the photos. You wonder if you should look different too, or if something about you isn’t “good enough.”
Situations like this are very common. Social media is an important part of everyday life for many young people, and the images we see there can influence how we think about beauty and our own appearance. According to a study by Saferinternet.at, 65% of young people say that content on social networks affects how they perceive beauty.
However, many of these images are edited, filtered, or carefully staged. Influencers often present an idealized version of themselves because their appearance online is part of their work. So that social media can strengthen rather than weaken self-confidence, it is important to understand how these platforms influence self-perception and the challenges that can come with it.
2. Which questions might be answered?
The booklet explains how beauty norms are created and spread online. It also provides practical tips to help young people deal with them in a healthy and confident way. It also offers practical advice on how to critically reflect on beauty norms online, manage your social media use more consciously, shape your feed in a self-determined way, and reduce the pressure of constant self-optimization.
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Some of the questions addressed include:
- Why do many images on social media show unrealistic body standards?
- How do filters, editing apps, and influencers shape our perception of beauty?
- Why can constant comparison with others online affect self-esteem?
- How can you critically reflect on the content you see on social media?
- What can you do if social media makes you feel pressured about your appearance?
Talking helps challenge unrealistic beauty standards
Social media often repeats a narrow idea of what bodies should look like.
When young people see the same kind of “perfect” images again and again, it can become harder to remember that real bodies are naturally diverse.
That is why open conversations matter.
Talking with friends, parents, teachers, or other trusted people about body diversity can help create a more realistic and healthier view of appearance.
These conversations can also reduce pressure and support self-esteem.
Some small things can also help:
- follow accounts that show more diversity and make you feel good;
- hide likes if numbers increase pressure;
- unfollow content that makes you compare yourself too much;
- question beauty ideals that are repeated online;
- support others who are mocked or judged because of their appearance.
If worries about your body image stay with you for a longer time, it is important to talk to someone you trust or seek professional support.
