Why social media and selfies are filling Hong Kong’s young women with self-doubt

Women who were 'saturated' with media messages more likely to be unhappy with their bodies, leading to low self-esteem.

Young women are more likely to feel dissatisfied with their body based on the influence of friends and social media rather than health, compared with those aged between 25 and 34, a survey has found.

About 10% of women in the 16 to 24 age group attributed their negative feelings to social media, while 31% said it was due to friends and 28% pointed to health. For older women, only 5% cited social media, 18% said friends and 40% named health as an issue.