Growing Up in the Mirror: Eating Disorders, Media, and the Adolescent Mind

Authored by Mandy Kryzsiak, MSS Candidate and The Understory Group Intern

Adolescence is a time of transition, a messy, transformative mix of self-discovery, hormones, and the never-ending search for belonging. It's also a time when many young people start to become hyper-aware of their bodies. In this vulnerable window, the media from magazines and TV to TikTok and Instagram, plays a powerful role in shaping how teens see themselves and their worth. 

Unfortunately, what they often see isn't healthy. 

The Rise of Unrealistic Ideals 

For decades, the media has broadcast a narrow definition of beauty: thin, toned, flawless. Even as the world celebrates body positivity and diversity, many images pushed online are digitally altered, filtered, or curated to perfection. Social media has only amplified this — now, young people aren’t just consuming unrealistic ideals, they’re trying to be them. 

In this digital environment, adolescents are especially vulnerable. Their brains are still developing, particularly the parts that govern impulse control and self-regulation. When they're bombarded with “ideal” body types and messages that equate thinness with success or popularity, it can trigger or worsen body dissatisfaction; a key risk factor for eating disorders. 

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are serious mental health conditions — not choices or lifestyle trends. They affect millions of teens worldwide and have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. 

While eating disorders are complex and arise from a mix of genetic, psychological, and social factors, media influence is a well-documented environmental risk. A teen might see a constant stream of “what I eat in a day” videos or comparison photos and start to internalize the idea that their worth is tied to how their body looks. 

When Media Becomes a Mirror 

Social media isn’t inherently bad. It can be a space for expression, connection, and even support for mental health. But it becomes harmful when it serves as a distorted mirror — one that reflects only filtered, unrealistic bodies back to impressionable minds. 

Teens today aren’t just passive viewers; they’re active creators. That means they’re not only comparing themselves to others — they’re often curating and editing their own images to fit in. This cycle of performance and comparison can lead to a fractured sense of self. 

So What Can We Do? 

1. Talk Early, Talk Often 

Conversations about body image, media literacy, and self-worth should start early. Teach kids to question what they see online: Is this photo edited? Is this influencer selling a product or an idea? 

2. Promote Diverse Representations 

Support media that showcases bodies of all shapes, sizes, genders, and abilities. Representation matters — especially for kids looking for themselves in the world around them. 

3. Model Healthy Behaviors 

Adults can make a difference by modeling self-compassion, avoiding body-shaming language, and prioritizing health over appearance. 

4. Encourage Critical Thinking 

Media literacy is more than knowing how to use a smartphone. It’s about knowing how to think about what’s being consumed. Ask: Who made this content? Why? What’s the message here? 

5. Seek Help When Needed 

If a teen shows signs of disordered eating or body obsession, it’s crucial to reach out.

Early intervention leads to better outcomes. Therapists, dietitians, and support groups can be life-saving. 

Final Thoughts 

We can’t shield adolescents from every harmful message, but we can help them build resilience. We can teach them that their value isn't measured in likes or waist size. That their bodies are not battlegrounds, but homes. And that real beauty lies in authenticity, not perfection. 

If we want to change the story, we need to start telling new ones together.