The Pressure of Social Media on Young Men
Dr. James Grant
| 3 min read
Beauty trends for young men are on the rise, and the social pressures that come along with these trends can create self-esteem issues and challenges that aren’t as widely discussed as those for young girls.
One such trend made popular through social media and online message boards is “looksmaxxing,” which encourages young men to enhance their appearance to make their lives better socially, romantically or monetarily.
Looksmaxxing and the social media activity surrounding it can create unreasonable expectations and pressure to fit in with new male beauty standards. Not only can this impact a young man’s self-image, but some of the tips and techniques shared by social influencers can be harmful.
Safety and Mental Health Concerns
A quick online search for looksmaxxing tips will bring up a full spectrum of beauty advice, from simple hairstyling and personal grooming advice to much more extreme methods like fasting, unsafe exercise or facial surgery. Some harmful trends have included:
- Taking dangerous amounts of supplements
- Using steroids
- Breaking facial bones in an effort to make them grow back stronger
- Following excessive workout routines
- Undergoing facial implant surgery
Other trends are not necessarily physically harmful, but they are unresearched, unproven and ineffective. For example, some online discussions have encouraged young men to make their jawline more prominent by chewing special gum, or by “mewing,” which is when one presses their tongue to the roof of their mouth.
And while many young men will not attempt the extreme advice or undergo physical harm, the social pressures of meeting certain appearance standards can result in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and unhealthy body image.
Talking About It Can Help
It’s important for parents to discuss self-esteem and body image issues with teenage boys. While young girls have felt the social pressures of beauty and appearance standards for many decades, it is a rapidly increasing issue for young boys.
Having open discussions with teenage boys can help them see their value is not defined by their appearance and will provide a trusted outlet for them to express their own concerns. Some ways to start those conversations include:
- Choose the moment: Start a conversation during a casual time such as riding in the car, when teens can more naturally open up.
- Ask open-ended questions: Don’t start with concerns. Rather, ask questions that show curiosity. Teens will be less likely to be defensive. For example, ask, “It seems like there is more pressure to look or act a certain way these days. How do you handle that?”
- Review and critique content together: Share an ad or video and talk about it together. Ask for their opinion and whether they think the content is realistic.
- Provide affirmation of their value: Praise them for actions or talents that are unrelated to their appearance. Reinforce and affirm their kindness, creativity and character.
Engaging in honest, open conversations with teenage boys can help them better navigate social pressures, strengthen their resilience, and guide them toward a healthier, more balanced self-image.
James D. Grant is the EVP and Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information, visit AHealthierMichigan.org.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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