Name: Breanna Everingham
Grade: Year 11
Age: 17 Years
School: The Cathedral College Rockhampton
Hometown and State: Rockhampton, Queensland
LIFTING US UP – How can women and girls empower each other and their communities in times of uncertainty and change?
Today not only Australia but the whole world is facing uncharted territory with the spread of Coronavirus, forcing many Australians into isolation, ruthlessly disrupting their day-to-day lives. The confinements of isolation have led many, particularly women and girls to the internet and social media for support. Thus, the idea of äóìcommunityäó has spread much larger than simply those who we share a postcode but, now to those who we connect with through the internet. The sad truth of the internet, however, is the prevalence of both toxic beauty standards. Concerningly, representations of women on the internet and social media are overwhelmingly restrictive and negative. These toxic standards promoted through social media can be detrimental to one’s self-confidence and mental health. From my own experience through turning to Tik Tok to cure my boredom, I was faced with an overwhelming magnitude of posts promoting a strict diet culture, ultimately, leading me to question my self-worth and the attractiveness of my body. Considering the 500 million people who use TikTok worldwide, it’s easily assumable that I’m not the only girl who has faced this problem (TikTok Revenue and Usage Statistics, 2020).
The issue of body image and self-confidence has been prevalent in society for far too long, with the problem ultimately being promoted through unrealistic standards set through social media. A study conducted by The University of New South Wales found that simply spending 30 minutes a day on social media negatively changed the way young women viewed their bodies and according to Dove 89% of women in Australia are cancelling plans including job interviews and other important events simply because of how they look (Fardoulya, Diedrichs, Vartaniana, & Halliwell, 2014) (Brown, 2016). It is extremely upsetting to know that so many passionate and capable women are denying themselves opportunities and becoming disadvantaged due to unrealistic and false expectations driven by the media. One’s clothing size, physical capabilities or weight should not hold any dictation over their worth to society.
As a global community we must work to spread positivity and support for all women. Through women banding together and subverting the media’s expectations we are able to use social media for good; to create a support system for women and to promote healthy bodies of all shapes and sizes. Particularly in this time of change and isolation support systems and positive media representations are so vital to ensuring no women starts to question their worth. It is time we start to use social media to celebrate each and every one of our successes, and to stop viewing rejections and hardships as failures but rather challenges that we as women, have the power to overcome. For, only once women have confidence in themselves, can they truly succeed.
References
Brown, V. (2016). Womenäó»s body confidence becomes a äóÖcritical issueäó» worldwide, Dove global study indicates. Retrieved from news.com.au: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/face-body/womens-body-confidence-becomes-a-critical-issue-worldwide-dove-global-study-indicates/news-story/5bf063c6a19c838cee9464a248af6bff
Fardoulya, J., Diedrichs, P., Vartaniana, L., & Halliwell, E. (2014). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young. Body Image.
TikTok Revenue and Usage Statistics. (2020). Retrieved from Business of Apps: https://www.businessofapps.com/data/tik-tok-statistics/#:~:text=TikTok%20is%20available%20in%20over,world%20(monthly%20active%20users).