A week without social media is enough to boost young women’s self-esteem and body image

Young women who took a social media break for as little as one week had a significant boost in self-esteem and body image – particularly those most vulnerable to thin-ideal internalisation, explains a news release accompanying the study. — Designed by Freepik

According to a Canadian study, daily use of social networking sites is detrimental to young women's self-esteem and body image. But their perceptions could be improved by stepping away from social media for even a week.

Worldwide, 4.6 billion people use social networks on a daily basis, with women aged between 18 and 29 accounting for the highest number of users. In this context, research from York University in Canada highlights the harmful effects this use can have on the self-esteem and body image of young women. However, all it takes is a week's break to see a reversal in these effects, scientists say.