Study Finds Teens Watching Short Videos Experience Pressure on Appearance

Researchers in China have been studying how teenagers use short-form video platforms and its connection to body dissatisfaction and eating behaviors. The study found that students who spend more time watching short videos often struggle with body image issues and compare themselves to the people they see in the videos.

Short-form videos, lasting less than a minute, are popular on apps like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat Spotlight. These platforms engage viewers with quick, algorithm-driven content. Young people, especially, are attracted to these spaces where influencers and brands share continuous visual content.

Over time, these platforms have become filled with images of idealized body types, often digitally altered. As teenagers keep watching, they may find themselves constantly comparing their bodies to these online versions of perfection, leading to decreased confidence and potential unhealthy eating habits.

The research team surveyed students from three secondary schools in China, gathering nearly 800 completed questionnaires from students aged 10 to 18. The survey explored disordered eating signs, frequency of short-form video app use, body comparison habits, and body satisfaction. Results showed that girls reported stronger eating disorder symptoms and were more likely to compare themselves to the bodies in the videos.

Overall, students who spent more time on short-form video platforms showed higher risks of eating disorders, body comparison, and lower body satisfaction. The study indicated that about nine percent of participants admitted to unhealthy eating habits, putting them at risk of developing eating disorders over time.

Boys who used these platforms frequently reported growing body dissatisfaction, increasing their risk of eating problems. For girls, spending more time watching videos led to increased body comparison, dissatisfaction, and higher eating disorder risks.

The study suggests a link between short-form video platform use and teenagers' body image and eating habits. However, the study design does not definitively prove whether the videos cause these issues or if other factors are involved.

This research was conducted by Liheng Fan, Yuchen Zhu, and Ke Yang, and published in Psychological Reports.

Image: DIW-Aigen

According to the source: Digital Information World.