In today's society, social media has become an omnipresent platform for people to share their thoughts, experiences, and images with the world and connect with others. However, alongside its benefits, social media has had a significant impact on our attitudes toward beauty and self-worth. Iconic actress Emma Watson has quoted, "Social media has created an environment where beauty is equated with perfection, leading to unrealistic and unattainable beauty standards." With the advent of filters, editing tools, and unrealistic beauty standards, social media has created an environment that reinforces an unattainable and narrow definition of beauty. This has resulted in a culture that glorifies specific beauty standards, leaving very little room for diversity and self-expression. Consequently, this has had a profound impact on how individuals perceive their appearances, leading to a negative self-image and destructive behaviors such as disordered eating, excessive cosmetic surgery, and an overemphasis on appearance. Consequently, social media sets unrealistic beauty standards that negatively influence today's society.

One of the most detrimental ways that social media perpetuates unattainable beauty standards is by promoting and glamorizing anorexia. Social media platforms such as Tumblr and Pinterest have been found to be incredibly harmful as they host a plethora of "thinspiration" content that glorifies and encourages anorexia as a lifestyle choice rather than recognizing it as a severe mental illness. This type of content often features images of emaciated bodies and quotes that promote the idea that thinness is the ultimate goal, regardless of the cost. Research has indicated that exposure to this type of social media content can have a substantial impact on individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding their bodies. For example, a study conducted by the University of Haifa found that the more adolescent girls spend time on Facebook, the more they develop negative body image and eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and exaggerated dieting. Social media platforms are inundated with images of thin, faultless models and celebrities who often undergo excessive dieting and exercise to achieve their desired look. Young people who are constantly exposed to these images are more likely to develop unhealthy expectations regarding their bodies and how they should look. For instance, supermodels like Bella Hadid and Lily Rose Dep are known to be the world's most beautiful women and are featured in Pinterest romanticization's of eating disorders. Psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, Lopez Witmer explains how social media apps are image-driven and normalize unrealistic standards of beauty, body shape, diet, and weight loss. Evidence has also shown that exposure to slender images of women and pressure from the media to be thin negatively affects female body image and emotional well-being. In conclusion, social media can exacerbate anorexia and portray it as an attractive lifestyle choice. Some social media influencers and celebrities even equate their extreme thinness and restrictive eating habits with self-discipline and control. This can be particularly dangerous for impressionable young people who may idolize these influences and celebrities and aspire to emulate their lifestyle choices. Ultimately, anorexia is a severe mental condition that can have devastating physical and psychological consequences. Social media has undoubtedly played a significant role in promoting and romanticizing anorexia.

The use of filters, photo manipulation, and makeup has made it effortless for people to establish impractical beauty standards, which affects us all. The integration between social media and unrealistic beauty standards is substantial. Upon viewing online models, people begin to contrast themselves, leading to body disapproval and self-doubt. Social media has portrayed beauty through filters and photo editing, promoting unrealizable beauty standards that can impact mental health and self-esteem adversely.

Social media has a negative influence on current society, as unrealistic beauty standards are established and promoted. Although some argue that social media can empower individuals to showcase their unique beauty, it is essential to acknowledge that the majority of individuals exposed to unrealistic beauty are affected negatively. Some social media influencers and celebrities originated unrealistic beauty standards by promoting unhealthy practices such as extreme dieting and cosmetic surgeries, leading to a culture of self-hatred and body shaming, especially among impressionable young individuals who view social media excessively. Celebrities, such as the Kardashians, are some of the significant influencers in social media and promote impractical beauty standards insurmountable for the average person to attain.

The pressure to conform to beauty standards and lifestyles promoted on social media can induce financial strain, leading to the need for individuals to expend enormous amounts of money on beauty treatments and products to achieve the equivalent look. Hence, social media influencers must recognize the impact of their actions on promoting unrealistic beauty standards to their vast following on social media platforms.

It is evident that social media has created unrealistic beauty standards in society that are unattainable and promote unattainable ideals. This has a negative effect on individuals and their mental health, leading to body dissatisfaction, anorexia, and low self-esteem. Social media platforms must take responsibility and promote a more authentic and diverse representation of beauty. By doing so, we can promote self-love, acceptance, and create a more positive and healthy relationship with beauty. It is crucial for social media platforms to reject unrealistic standards and embrace and promote beauty in all its forms.