#OpenDiscussion

[mirandatrannzz]

[Week 7]

The Instagram Effect: How "Perfection" Became a Full-Time Job

Instagram is not just an app; it is a beauty factory. 

The Aesthetic Template: Copy, Paste, Repeat

Instagram's "aesthetic template" is not just a trend but a strategy for visibility. Influencers copy trends for algorithm success, forcing conformity and killing individuality (Witz et al., 2003).

Most European women adhere to a beauty template that favors darker skin tones, sharp and dramatic makeup, and a more muscular, robust physique.

In contrast, traditional Asian beauty standards have long celebrated lighter, whiter skin, softer makeup, and a more delicate, slender body type (Dean, 2005). Besides, Asian women on Instagram now express themselves more but keep their distinct style, which is influenced by Western culture.

💭 Confidence or conformity: Why chase beauty ideals?

The truth is complex. While some see it as self-improvement and validation, the overwhelming influence of curated, idealized images and algorithmic pressures on social media often pushes people toward conformity over authenticity (Daniels, 2016).

Beauty Is not Universal - It is Algorithmic.

Beauty on Instagram is not just about looks but about playing the algorithm's game.

Conventionally attractive women in revealing outfits? Boosted.

Gay men expressing femininity? Often ignored.

📲 Instagram boosts sexy women and ignores feminine gay men, creating a skewed perception of self-worth and societal value. When users constantly see sexy, Eurocentric beauty ideals being rewarded with visibility and engagement, they may internalize the message that this is the "ideal" to aspire to - leading to intense pressure to conform (Bishop, 2021).

🚫 Meanwhile, the lack of representation for feminine gay men can make individuals in this group feel invisible or undervalued, reinforcing feelings of exclusion and inadequacy (Carrotte et al., 2017).

🔄 This dynamic shapes self-perception, often pushing people to alter their appearance or suppress their authenticity just to be seen. It also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about what is considered desirable or acceptable, ultimately narrowing diversity and limiting self-acceptance on the platform (Witz et al., 2003).

When Beauty & Sexualization Blur

(Warning: sensitive photos included)

This is not just about 'blurred lines'; it is about the normalization of exploitation. Young people who really look up to influencers are being taught the wrong ideas about beauty and sex. They start to think their value comes from how sexually attractive they are, which is bad for their minds and feelings (Drenten et al., 2019). 

📌 BOP House, a social media collective known for its provocative and highly sexualized content, exemplifies this phenomenon (Upton-Clark, 2025). Members like Sophia Rain (6M followers) gain fame through controversial posts, blurring the lines between social media, entertainment, and adult content. This normalization reshapes user perceptions of beauty, self-worth, and online expression.

The Mental Health Toll: When “Instagram Face” Becomes the Goal

Figure 1 (Dixon, 2024)

32% of Instagram users are 18-24, making Gen Z dominant (Figure 1). The platform is linked to depression, low self-esteem, and body image issues (Abrams, 2021). BDD affects 2% of people, especially young users, highlighting social media's role in these challenges (BDDF, n.d.).

In this video, she discusses a client with BDD driven by perfectionism and the online "aesthetic template." Obsessed with perfection, the client feels insecure and has undergone surgeries since age 14 to "fix" perceived flaws.

✨ Instagram promotes an illusion of perfection, fueling unhealthy comparisons (Witz et al., 2003). The platform's focus on curated images creates a false sense that everyone else has an ideal life, pressuring users to meet unrealistic beauty standards. A 14-year-old undergoing multiple surgeries highlights how far people go to chase this unattainable ideal. 

📱 This constant exposure distorts self-image, increases anxiety, and normalizes harmful behaviors - profoundly impacting mental health.

So... Who Really Wins?

Influencers? Maybe. Instagram? Definitely. The rest of us? We are left chasing a beauty standard that was never real.

✨ Thoughts? Have you ever felt the pressure of Instagram beauty standards? Let's talk. 💬

References

Abrams, Z. (2021, December 2). How can we minimize Instagram’s harmful effects? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/feature-minimize-instagram-effects

BDDF. (n.d.). How Common is BDD? – BDDF. Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. https://bddfoundation.org/information/frequently-asked-questions/how-common-is-bdd/

Bishop, S. (2021). Influencer Management Tools: Algorithmic Cultures, Brand Safety, and Bias. Social Media + Society, 7(1), 205630512110030. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211003066

Carrotte, E., Prichard, I., & Lim, M. S. C. (2017). “Fitspiration” on Social Media: a Content Analysis of Gendered Images. “Fitspiration” on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Gendered Images, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6368

Daniels, E. A. (2016). Sexiness on Social Media. Sexualization, Media, & Society, 2(4), 237462381668352. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374623816683522

Dean, D. (2005). Recruiting a self: Women performers and aesthetic labour. Work, Employment and Society, 19(4), 761–774. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005058061

Dixon, S. J. (2024, May 2). Distribution of Instagram Users Worldwide as of April 2024, by Age Group. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/

Drenten, J., Gurrieri, L., & Tyler, M. (2019). Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12354

Marwick, A. (2013). Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age. Yale University Press. https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300209389/status-update/

Senft, T. (2013). Microcelebrity and the Branded Self. https://fws.commacafe.org/resources/theresa_senft_microcelebrity_branded_self.pdf

Upton-Clark, E. (2025, February 12). Meet the Bop House, the internet’s divisive new OnlyFans hype house. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/91277825/meet-the-bop-house-the-internets-divisive-new-onlyfans-hype-house

Witz, A., Warhurst, C., & Nickson, D. (2003). The Labour of Aesthetics and the Aesthetics of Organization. Organization, 10(1), 33–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508403010001375

[beckwith98]

Tony Antonellis believes religion should be discussed more in public, as the world is divided by religious sects. For The Love of God calls for humanity to unite under God’s connection, promoting “God-centeredness” as a pluralistic, open-ended understanding...

[kathybarnes]

Tony Antonellis believes religion should be discussed more in public, as the world is divided by religious sects. For The Love of God calls for humanity to unite under God’s connection, promoting “God-centeredness” as a pluralistic, open-ended understanding...

[sairalynch]

Tony Antonellis believes religion should be discussed more in public, as the world is divided by religious sects. For The Love of God calls for humanity to unite under God’s connection, promoting “God-centeredness” as a pluralistic, open-ended understanding...

https://www.tonyantonellis.com/

[roofingservicesblog]

Revolutionizing Your Kitchen: Embracing the All-White Trend or Breaking the Mold?

Hey everyone! 👋 Considering a kitchen remodel? 🛠️ Let's dive into the age-old debate: to go all-white or not? ⚪🤔

🏡 Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and choosing the right style is crucial. The all-white trend has been dominating the design scene, offering a timeless and clean aesthetic. But is it the right choice for everyone?

🤷‍♂️ We want to hear from you! Are you team #AllWhiteEverything, or do you prefer a splash of color and contrast? 🌈 And here's the twist – have you enlisted a residential contractor for your kitchen dreams? Share your experiences, tips, or even the challenges you've faced! Let the discussion begin!

Repel-Dry.com 855-366-7663 Info@repel-dry.com 💬✨

[usnewsper-politics]

The Threat to Free Speech: How Open Discussion is Being Suppressed #dissentingvoices #Freespeech #opendiscussion #politicalcorrectness #suppressionofviews

[rickozac]

Democrats try to censor presidential candidate RFK Jr. at House hearing ...

[mindsandpens]

Dive Deep into the USA-Iran Conflict: Part 1 (Video Included!)

Hey everyone! Are you confused about the ongoing tensions between the USA and Iran? You're not alone! This complex issue has a long history and ever-evolving dynamics. But fear not, curious minds! I'm here to help you unravel the threads with Part 1 of my video series explaining the USA-Iran conflict. ️

In this first part, we'll take a deep dive into:

The historical roots of the conflict: Let's rewind the clock and explore the key events that shaped the current situation. ️

Who are the key players? From political figures to military forces, meet the major actors involved on both sides.

What are the current flashpoints? We'll discuss the areas of tension and potential for escalation.

What are the potential outcomes? Will diplomacy prevail, or is conflict on the horizon? ️

Ready to get started? Check out the video below and buckle up for a journey through the complexities of the USA-Iran conflict!

Remember, this is just Part 1. Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and insights coming soon!

Want to discuss? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below! Let's have a civil and informative conversation about this important topic.

#USAIranConflict #Dailymotion #CurrentEvents #Geopolitics #Explanation #VideoSeries #StayInformed #OpenDiscussion

P.S. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and followers! Let's spread knowledge and understanding together.

P.P.S. What other current events or historical topics would you like me to explore in future posts? Let me know in the comments!

[aigency]

Hey everyone! As we delve deeper into the limitless possibilities of AI, let's discuss the potential dangers and address any fears together. What concerns you most? Share your thoughts! #AIrisks #FutureTech #OpenDiscussion

[iipptcollege]

Join the engaging conversation between faculty and students at IIPPT College! 📚🎓

#CampusDialogue #FacultyStudentChat #AcademicDiscussions #LearningTogether #CampusConversations #StudentEngagement #KnowledgeExchange #CampusLife #IIPPTCollege #EducationMatters #CampusConnections #CollaborativeLearning #SharingIdeas #InclusiveEducation #CampusCommunity #OpenDiscussion #StudentVoice #FacultySupport #CollegeLife #InteractiveLearning #CampusCulture #KnowledgeSharing

[autism-unfiltered]

Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I'd love to open the floor for any questions or discussions you'd like to have. Remember, no question is too small or too big, and everyone's perspective is valued here. Feel free to ask anything about autism, neurodiversity, or related topics. Let's foster a space of learning and sharing together.

[kathybarnes]

Tony Antonellis believes religion should be discussed more in public, as the world is divided by religious sects. For The Love of God calls for humanity to unite under God’s connection, promoting “God-centeredness” as a pluralistic, open-ended understanding...

https://www.tonyantonellis.com/

[gingerandgoth]

Why is everything multiplayer?

(Happy ginger): “From the view of someone who is scared of strangers.” Honestly, I am not a fan of multiplayer games. Or at least games which don’t even have the option to play alone. Don’t get me wrong, I like playing videogames with my friends, but strangers? Personally I would buy a lot more games, if they had at least the option for a single player. Games like grand theft auto? Concept seems super cool - BUT only multiplayer (yeah, yeah there is a limited story mode.Still though, you can’t really use it for RPG purposes). Also hearing the speculation of Sims 5 being a multiplayer only game is kind of frustrating. The reason I play video games in the first place is, that I can be as introverted as I want to. I use fictional worlds to escape reality, to shape the plot and world within the game. So far my multiplayer experiences have been exhausting to say the least. Rude people, annoying players, trolls, people being competive af, harrasment (the list could go on). But I do admit, that limited multiplayer can be very fun. Especially when you play with your friends on a seperate server, where solid boundaries can be set and respected. AnYwAy.. (Satanic goth): I, on the other hand, enjoy multiplayer games the most. Firstly, because it allows me to play with my friends and spend time with them. In my opinion sharing the whole experience of a game with people that you’re close to, is the best thing ever. It feels like you’re hanging out with them in person, even though you’re probably many miles apart from each other. I’m always really sad when I find an exciting game to play and it only has a singleplayer mode. I personally like that I’m alone at home, in my safeplace, but can still be socially active while playing a game. It doesn’t make me feel like I’m isolating and hiding in my room. I met most of my friends through the internet and especially specific videogames (league of legends, valorant) and if they weren’ that interactive (via ingame chat, voicechat) I wouldn’t be able to call them my friends today.

To sum things up, I think the best thing a developer could do is try to enable singleplayer and multiplayer modes, so that a wide range of users can choose whether they like to interact with people or not.

[singlemums-supportsystem-blog]

The Choice

From the age of 20 I knew I wanted to be a mum. At the time I didn’t really think of the logistics, I imagined my life would go as it did for my parents. Fall in love, get married and have some kids. 

But at 22 I had been single for a number of years and didn’t really know about meeting someone. The bodily desire to have a baby was quite intense during these years and I started to consider becoming a single parent a few years down the line.

I know 22 is quite young to be thinking of these things, but I already had a well paid, stable job and had been self reliant for many years. I knew at the time I was in absolutely no position emotionally to have a baby but I was just considering it for the future. My mum was around 27 when she had me and this has worked well for our relationship. School friends whose parents were older often found it hard to talk to or relate to their parents, something I never had trouble with. 

I knew I wanted to be a fairly young mum, especially if I was going to do it alone. The older you get, the more difficult it can be and the more strain it can put on your mind and body. (Not in every situation, I understand). So I decided that I would follow the similar age gap that my mum and I have, aiming to have a baby by 27. This of course left me 5 years at the time to build up savings, climb the job ladder and look into buying a property. 

Shortly after deciding this, I moved jobs and met the love of my life. . . Typical :)

Slowly the idea of being a single parent drifted to the back of my mind. We talked about buying a home together, what we would name our kids and all round just planning for the future. He owned his own place and I moved in after dating for a year. I was open about my dreams of motherhood from the start, however as time went on, the more closed he became when I was talking about the future. We sat down one night and he told me that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be a dad or not. He asked for 6 months so that he could work out what he wanted from life. During those 6 months I tired my best not to bring up babies and even tried to figure out why I wanted to become a parent. Did I really want a child? Was it just a phase I was going through? Could I make that sacrifice? Should I stay with him and not be a mum or leave the best man I had met for a future I didn’t know was certain? 

It was a very difficult time. I decided at the time that I wouldn’t give up something as certain as my love for him, for a future that was so uncertain. I didn’t know I could even have children. 

I was feeling okay about my choice until we received some news. His brother’s wife was pregnant. As soon as the words entered my ears I broke. Looking back, I had been trying to convince myself that being childless would be fine, as long as we had each other. I knew I was lying to myself and it felt terrible knowing what the outcome might be.

When the 6 months had passed, I knew he was still not ready to make a choice. I turned 25 the month after and it dawned on me that I was getting close to my (loose) deadline of 27. I asked him for an answer by the end of that month and we decided to part ways. Not out of hatred, we didn’t fall out of love or fall in love with other people. We simply wanted different things in life. We were both strong enough and loved each other enough to want what was best for the other. He knew he could never give me the life that I wanted and I knew the life I wanted wasn’t for him.

(Side note - He is and will always be a close friend. We love each other dearly but have transitioned to just friends)

So I found myself back on the single parent pathway and once again sat down with myself to work out if this is what I want and is it something I can do. Financially I am in a very good position and I am just about to buy my first home. These are things I knew I would need to have in place before starting the process of getting pregnant. 

So why did I choose to do this alone rather than wait to find another potential partner? To start, I am not ready to move on. While my break-up was clean and very peaceful, it has still left a hole in my life that I am not ready to fill. Timing is also a big consideration. I know that age is still on my side but giving myself a year of being single, then another two or three getting into a new relationship and sorting all those potential feelings out leaves me at or close to 30. I am also aware that I could have the same thing happen, where after a few years we part ways and I am back to ground zero on my own, only its 5 years down the line. 

By that point I would likely be 31 or 32 by the time a baby came about (if all went well). And, while this is not old (by far), in terms of how I would like to lead my life, this is not what I want. I want to stick to my plan but I also know that could change at any moment because life is unpredictable. I am not closed to meeting someone forever, I just want to move forward with some clarity and definition to my life.

So knowing that I want to start the journey is one thing, actually moving forward is another thing. From here I’ll start detailing all my thoughts and what I go through on my journey to being a parent. I’d love to hear the journeys that others have taken.

I am not writing this to offend anyone, only to open up to conversation and show other people that perhaps others are going through the same thing. We can all help each other out, rather than judge and criticise.