Olivia Ciampaglia

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Research Project

How the Body is Presented on Social Media

Bio

Age: 22

I am a 4th year Professional Communications student studying at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Research Summary

In today’s digital age, social media platforms play a significant role in shaping perceptions of the body and influencing the mental well-being of young adults. This capstone project delves into the influence of social media on body image and self-esteem among teenagers and young adults. Through a social media analysis encompassing 55 links from influencer platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and others, we examined how the body is portrayed in the media. Posts from influencers specializing in various topics, including body image, fitness, fashion, cosmetics, and nutrition, were meticulously analyzed for speech, body language, clothing, eye contact, setting, and engagement. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of individuals’ attitudes and perspectives regarding body image across diverse social media platforms. The research question guiding our investigation is: To what extent has exposure to idealized standards through social media affected the self-esteem of teenagers and young adults, considering factors such as comparison, peer feedback, and the use of filters and editing tools? Through this exploration, we aim to shed light on the complex interplay between social media, body image, and mental well-being, ultimately contributing to discussions surrounding digital literacy and mental health awareness.

Research Poster

A black and white infographic with the prominent title 'HOW THE BODY IS PRESENTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA UNVEILING ITS INFLUENCE ON THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF YOUNG ADULTS.' Below, three black smartphone outlines display screenshots. The left screen shows a muscular, sweaty man with hands behind his head, captioned 'pov: you just finished cardio'. The central screen shows a lean woman in gym wear, with text: 'this was taken on the last day of my 11 day vacation where I was eating over 3000 calories every day.' The right screen shows a woman in a light pink top revealing her midriff, surrounded by various negative comments such as 'Attention seeker', 'she would be hot if she lost weight', 'disgusting', 'you've gained weight', 'body hair is disgusting', and 'women don't have mustaches'. Text below states: 'A Social Media Analysis based on 55 links from different influencer platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and X, to understand how the body is perceived in the media.' Authors are Olivia Ciampaglia, Alexia Vitellaro, and Taylor Caruso.

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