The effects of social media content on the use of beautifying photo applications among Chinese young adults

Yue Y., Tang H.

Previous research on social media’s impact on body esteem has dominantly centered on usage frequency, overlooking the varied effects of different types of social media content on body esteem. Drawing on the tripartite influence model and social comparison theory, this study investigated how varied exposure to appearance-related content on social media predicts body esteem through social comparison. A total of 554 Chinese young females aged between 18 and 29 (M = 21.6, SD = 2.1) participated in an online survey. Results showed that exposure to idealized content was positively associated with upward appearance comparison, leading to decreased body esteem concerning weight and appearance. Exposure to idealized content was also positively linked to downward appearance comparison, reducing body esteem concerning appearance. Exposure to non-idealized content was negatively associated with upward appearance comparison, dampening comparison’s negative influence on body esteem. A multi-group analysis revealed that the effects of exposure to idealized social media content on upward comparison were significantly intensified among females with a high level of trait self-objectification. Implications for shaping a body-positive image on social media among young females were discussed.

Liang X.

Within the Beyond 6th Generation (B6G) network, this research presents an efficient Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture specifically tailored for image processing in intelligent city applications. The suggested CNN model takes advantage of the very low-latency, high-speed nature of B6G networks to enable crowd-monitoring-based public-safety image analysis in real-time. By catering to the distributed nature of data processing and the reduced load on central servers, our architecture is well-suited to the B6G infrastructures’ edge computing environment. The CNN model accomplishes great accuracy in picture identification tasks with minimum processing overhead by utilising lightweight Convolutional layers and advanced optimisation techniques. We prove the model’s efficacy in real-time processing and analysis of high-resolution images from security cameras and drones in trials conducted in virtual smart city environments. The findings show that B6G networks and sophisticated image processing methods can work together to make smart city apps more efficient and responsive.

Zhu L., Wang Y., Chen Y.

PurposeMothers sharing images and information on social media about their children is a contemporary cultural norm. While the practice has been heavily discussed in popular media, there is a lack of empirical research examining the phenomenon from the perspectives of parents and adolescent children in China. The current study aims to find out whether or not mothers and their children engage in discussions about sharenting and how adolescents negotiate their privacy concerns with their mothers.Design/methodology/approachThe current study examined how parents and their children make sense of sharenting via semi-structured interviews with 16 Chinese mothers. In addition, the study enlisted 21 adolescents to examine their perspectives on sharenting. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsResults showed that although documentation is articulated as the primary sharenting motivation, identity management is a major drive behind sharenting. The dynamics between mothers and their children, as well as between adolescents and their parents, are also explored regarding the issues of consent, privacy and identity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has theoretical implications for the communication privacy management (CPM) theory, as it underscores the dynamic nature of privacy management, shaped by cultural norms, family dynamics and evolving communication technologies. It also adds value for campaign practitioners to provide education programs on the serious consequences of sharenting.Originality/valueThis research serves as a starting point to further explore a child’s entrance to adulthood as our culture’s first true digital natives who will bear extensive online and offline identities.

Luo X., Zhang R.

AI-powered face-editing technologies, such as face filters and beauty apps, are widely used for appearance enhancement. However, such tools often perpetuate rigid beauty standards, thereby risking the reinforcement of harmful gender norms. While prior research primarily focuses on the experiences of female users of face-editing technologies, this study scrutinizes their impact on male users. We examine the gendered design of face-editing tools through a feature analysis of a set of Chinese beauty apps (Study 1), followed by interviews with 30 male users to understand their perceptions and experiences regarding these apps (Study 2). Our findings reveal that beauty apps potentially obstruct male users' efforts in appearance enhancement and embody hegemonic masculinity. To overcome the disaffordances of beauty apps, male users employed various strategies, including manual editing, self-censorship, and social validation. Drawing on these findings, we propose recommendations for more inclusive, gender-sensitive design in face-editing technologies.

Ferdousi J.S., Bradley G.L., Carlini J.

Rousseau A.

Tao M., Lin K.

Dieker J.L., Renn B.N., Daniels E.A.

Self-objectification (i.e., valuing the body primarily for its attractiveness to others) is negatively related to physical health, including physical activity (PA) attitudes and behaviors. Given the low levels of PA among middle-aged adults in the US, self-objectification may be a novel correlate of PA in this population. The present study examined self-objectification and PA variables in a cross-sectional Western U.S. community sample of women (n = 215) and men (n = 134), aged 45-64, including gender as a moderator of these relations. Data were collected via survey, including measures of self-objectification, PA enjoyment, PA perceived benefits and barriers, and self-reported levels of PA. Women and men in our sample did not differ in levels of self-objectification. Results of regression analyses indicated that self-objectification predicted less PA enjoyment. In addition, men higher in self-objectification reported higher levels of PA. The findings implicate self-objectification as a potentially novel determinant of PA attitudes and behaviors in middle-aged adults.

Guo L., Gu L., Peng Y., Gao Y., Mei L., Kang Q., Chen C., Hu Y., Xu W., Chen J.

The relationship between online media exposure and disordered eating symptoms has been reported in western regions. Though the prevalence of eating disorders and access to the Internet increased substantially in recent years, relevant evidence is rare in mainland China. This study aims to evaluate the association between online media exposure or weight and fitness management app use and disordered eating symptoms in Chinese mainland young adults, and the mediation effect of disordered eating cognition. 353 Chinese mainland female and 142 male young adults completed online questionnaires consisting of demographic information, Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire 6.0 (EDE-Q 6.0), and items relating to online media exposure and weight and fitness management app use. Through correlation analysis, the relationship between online media exposure or weight and fitness management app use and disordered eating symptoms was examined, separately by sex. The mediation effect of disordered eating cognition on the relationship between online media exposure or weight and fitness management app use on disordered eating behaviors was investigated with two moderated mediation models. Young female adults in the Chinese mainland presented higher disordered eating symptoms and were more engaged in online media and weight and fitness management app use than males. Online media exposure and weight and fitness management app use showed a significant correlation with disordered eating behaviors in males and females. Disordered eating cognition mediated the relationship between online media exposure or weight and fitness management app use and disordered eating behaviors. This effect was significantly higher in females. Online media exposure and weight and fitness management app use play a crucial role in the generation of disordered eating symptoms in Chinese mainland young adults, especially in females. The mediation analysis suggested the importance of prevention and intervention of disordered eating cognition. Monitoring and scientific guidance of online media are necessary.

Cha H.S., Mayers J.A., Stutts L.A.

Fioravanti G., Bocci Benucci S., Ceragioli G., Casale S.

Sharing and viewing photos on social networking sites (SNSs) have been identified as particularly problematic for body image. Although correlational research to date has established that SNS use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, only experimental studies can enhance confidence in the conclusions drawn. For this reason, this systematic review synthesizes data from 43 experimental studies (N = 8637; %F = 89.56; mean age = 21.58 ± 1.78) examining the effect of viewing idealized images (i.e., attractive, thin, and fit) and body positive content on SNSs on body image. Two studies were conducted on adolescents. Each study had slight variations in how the images were presented for each category (e.g., selfies and photos taken by others). The wide variability in experimental stimuli and psychological moderators used in the published research make a systematic review more feasible and meaningful than a meta-analysis. Findings indicate that viewing idealized images on SNSs lead to increased body dissatisfaction among young women and men. State appearance comparison (i.e., engaging in social comparison while viewing images) significantly mediated the effect, whereas trait appearance comparison (i.e., the relatively stable general tendency to engage in social comparison) was a significant moderator. Mixed results were found regarding the exposure to body positive images/captions. Viewing images on SNSs depicting unattainable beauty ideals leads young people to feel dissatisfied about their bodies, with appearance comparison processing playing an important role. More research is required to assess the long-term effects.

Piccoli V., Carnaghi A., Grassi M., Bianchi M.

Recent research showed that body image concerns (i.e., drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction) may be associated with exposure to images on social networking sites. We analysed this relationship by taking into account the possible mediating role of both the appearance-related comparisons (i.e., the comparison with others on a specific dimension) and the internalization of beauty standards (i.e., the acceptance of the predominant physical-attractiveness societal standards) in the Italian context. In two studies, we showed that Instagram-photo activity was positively associated with both drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction through the mediating role of appearance-related comparisons on Instagram. We further showed that the association between Instagram-photo activity and body image concerns was sequentially mediated by appearance-related comparisons on Instagram and the internalization of beauty standards. Female participants who engaged in Instagram-photo activity also expressed greater concerns about their bodies as they were highly likely to make more comparisons relative to the appearance dimension and show high levels of internalization of beauty standards. These findings are discussed within theoretical and applied implications in the social media domain. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Agrawal H., Agrawal S.

The use of social media and photo-editing practice has grown enormously over the past decades. Photo editing can alter a person's desire to look better in photographs posted on social media platforms.To assess the cosmetic dermatology seeking behavior of social media users and those who edit photographs before posting them on social media platforms.A validated self-administered structured questionnaire via Google form was sent to 550 social media users in Nepal. It included 5 sub-headings: use of social networking sites, photo-editing practices, awareness and motivation about cosmetic dermatology care, cosmetic dermatology care seeking behavior and self-esteem.Facebook and Instagram were the preferred social networking sites for posting photographs. One-fourth of the participants edited >40% of the total photos posted in social media. Hiding skin lesions was the most common reason (36.3%) for photograph editing. Fifty percent of the respondents felt the need to look better; repair skin damage; be able to look good without make up; look younger; feel happier and improve total quality of life as a "lot and top" motivation for using the cosmetic dermatological procedures. A majority preferred to seek cosmetic dermatology care from non-dermatologists because they felt dermatologist visit was not needed, the services were costly and they could not visit due to their busy schedule. On multivariate analysis, respondents who were aware of skin care favored seeking cosmetic dermatology care from dermatologists.Higher investment in social media and photo-editing practices might be associated with increased non-dermatologist seeking behavior.

Garcia R.L., Bingham S., Liu S.

Chen S., Tilburg W.A., Leman P.J.

Researchers have examined self-objectification - viewing oneself as an object rather than a subject - in terms of its impact on intrapersonal factors, such as mental health and cognitive performance. However, few have examined how self-objectification relates to interpersonal factors. The present research addressed this gap by testing the impact of self-objectification on social approval motivation among women. Study 1 (n = 103) found that individual differences in self-objectification correlated positively with approval motivation. Study 2 (n = 94) replicated these results and found that women who reported higher self-objectification were more willing to modify their social media profile pictures unrealistically. In Study 3 (n = 100), higher self-objectifying women were more willing to unrealistically modify their profile pictures even if this exceeded normative levels, which was replicated in Study 4 (n = 199). These results suggest that women's self-objectification is associated with a desire for approval from others and this desire manifests in a willingness to modify self-presentation.