Can time spent on social media affect thin-ideal internalisation, objectified body consciousness and exercise motivation in women?

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to social media on ideal body image, awareness of one’s body and motivation to exercise. Participants completed a measure of Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest use, after which they proceeded to complete measures of thin-ideal internalisation, exercise motivation and objectified body consciousness. One hundred female students at a UK university, aged between 18 and 52 years, completed the measures described, with age weight and height used as covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that time spent on social media was related to levels of thin-ideal internalisation, objectified body consciousness and motivation to exercise. Exposure to social media has negative effects on female’s perceptions of their ideal beauty and their own body as well as on motivation to engage in exercise.