Question

How can the media negatively affect self-esteem?

Answer 1

The media can negatively impact self-esteem through unrealistic standards, reinforcing stereotypes, media framing, and cognitive bias, whereby individuals process information through a lens that confirms their existing beliefs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The media can negatively affect self-esteem by frequently projecting unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and behavior which audiences, particularly young individuals, may compare themselves to unfavorably. This can be exacerbated by media framing and stereotype reinforcement, leading to a skewed perception of self-worth. For example, the media often prioritizes looks over skills, especially in the coverage of women, reinforcing the notion that physical appearance is more valuable than competence. This can demean individuals who do not fit these narrow standards.

Moreover, the media's agenda setting can manipulate the public's perception of reality, affecting societal values and personal beliefs. This is clearly seen in how crime and race are portrayed, potentially fostering biases and fears that are not aligned with actual statistics. Such representation in the media can lead to internalization of negative self-images among those who are repeatedly depicted in a negative light.

Cognitive bias plays a significant role in how individuals process media content, including confirmation bias, which leads people to seek and acknowledge information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, while ignoring information that contradicts them. This can result in a reaffirmation of negative beliefs about oneself, particularly if the media frequently highlights one's demographic in a negative context.

Answer 2

According to studies, social media affects directly self-esteem. Higher levels of loneliness, envy, anxiety, depression, narcissism and decreased social skills, are some of the effects that media has on people who spend to much time on it.

The comparison you consciously or unconsciously with "perfect" people is exhausting, because you will slowly being to try to live, dress and speak like them, but the reality is no one is that perfect.

Moreover, likes and follows are so desired that people do anything to get them. Experts assure that these actions trigger considerable levels of dopamine to the brain, giving a sense of wellness, that's why people desire likes so much.

Lastly, following all those trends, and "perfect" people, comparing with other lifes, all that will affect our self-esteem soon or later. Some people gets more arrogant and eccentric, others get depressed.