Influencia de las redes sociales en la percepción de la imagen corporal en los adolescentes.

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the influence of social media use on body image perception in adolescents between 14 and 17 years old. It was developed under a mixed-methods approach, with a descriptive and cross-sectional design. For data collection, a self-administered digital questionnaire was used, consisting of a total of 14 questions, where 13 were closed-ended and the last one was an open-ended exploratory question. The results obtained show that the majority of adolescents use social media daily, with TikTok and Instagram being the most frequently used platforms. It was identified that a significant percentage of respondents experience dissatisfaction with some part of their body, as well as a marked dependence on external validation through likes, comments, and followers. Likewise, the qualitative analysis revealed the presence of feelings of social pressure, insecurity, and a desire to modify physical appearance to conform to the idealized standards promoted through digital platforms. It is concluded that social media does have a direct impact on the construction of adolescent self-image, reinforcing beauty stereotypes and generating risks to self-esteem. These results allowed for an understanding of the reach that digital platforms have among adolescents and open the possibility of implementing educational and preventive programs that contribute to a more critical, reflective, and healthy use of digital media.