Your Voice: Body dysmorphia in the digital age; working towards a healthier planet (long letters)

With the emergence of various filters on social media and constantly evolving trends, we are exposed to a world of illusions and facades. It is no secret that the lines between expectations and reality have become blurred.

However, what happens when these standards start to seep into our self-perception and lead to a silent but deadly epidemic? This is the era of body dysmorphia.

The concept of body dysmorphia has been around for decades, but social media has undoubtedly amplified its impact. Body dysmorphia is a severe mental disorder where an individual has a distorted perception of their body. They will obsess over minor flaws and imperfections to the point where it affects their daily life, leading to mental illnesses and, sometimes, even suicide.

The rise of social media has made it easier for people to compare themselves to others, and the pressure to look perfect has never been more intense.

How TikTok’s Bold Glamour filter affects teens’ self-esteem, body image

Instagram and TikTok are powerful channels for influencers to post carefully curated images and videos of themselves. As you scroll mindlessly, all you can see is the perfect body, flawless skin, and everything that you’re not. It is easy to fall prey to these unattainable standards of beauty.

The use of photo-editing apps and filters allows users to change their appearance with just one swipe or click of the mouse. While this can be seen as harmless, it contributes to the rise of body dysmorphia, especially in teenagers who are more prone to self-comparison.

Watching these influencers can make you feel dissatisfied with your appearance, and the pressure to conform to their appearance norms can lead to the root of body dysmorphia. As you measure yourself against the photos the influencers spent hours, days, or even weeks editing, you will always be behind in a desperate pursuit of perfection to achieve that so-called ideal.

An infamous trend that has led to body dysmorphia in this age is the “thigh gap” trend, showing a visible gap between the thighs, perpetuating the idea that this is the ideal body. It has led to many people attempting extreme diets and excessive exercise.

Unfortunately, body dysmorphia can lead to eating disorders and a distorted image of what a healthy body should look like.

The pursuit of the perfect body has become a cultural norm, and it’s not just limited to social media.

This phenomenon is everywhere, from billboards to magazines, films, and television shows. The message is loud and clear: if you do not fit into the mould, you are simply not good enough. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-doubt, low self-esteem, and a constant need for validation.

However, it is essential to understand that the perfect body does not exist. Body dysmorphia is a stark reminder that not everything on social media is unfiltered and real, and remember not to chase the ideal but embrace what is real.

YouTube restricts problematic video suggestions for teens to protect mental health

Liu Dong-wei, SKH Tsang Shui Tim Secondary School

The Amazon, known as the world’s largest rainforest, represents nearly 20 per cent of the Earth’s total forest area. It provides a home for 40,000 different kinds of plants, 427 types of mammals, 1,300 kinds of birds and 390 billion individual trees in about 16,000 species.

Despite efforts to protect it, large-scale deforestation remains a significant contributor to global warming. Around one-third of global tropical deforestation occurs in Brazil, resulting in a staggering loss of 1.5 million hectares each year.

These alarming figures have garnered attention from environmentalists worldwide, while much of the population remains unaware of the dangers posed by deforestation. Therefore, it is crucial that we address this issue to prevent further deterioration.

One third of Amazon rainforest ‘degraded’ by human activity and drought, study finds

Human beings have relied on wood for nearly 1.5 million years. Throughout history, wooden products have played a pivotal role in our development, bringing numerous benefits to our daily lives. However, in the 20th century, unscrupulous industrialists began destroying forests on a massive scale for raw materials, leading to what we now describe as “the intentional clearing of forest lands”.

From 1990 to 2020, deforestation devastated around 420 million hectares of forest land, and experts even forecast a treeless Earth by 2319.

Additionally, deforestation has catastrophic effects, particularly the release of carbon dioxide, which makes us more vulnerable to global warming. Trees play a crucial role in mitigating extreme weather conditions by dissipating heat and providing moisture to the atmosphere. Without trees, global temperatures will continue to rise, posing a significant threat to ecosystems.

Thankfully, numerous conservation efforts aimed at saving our planet’s forests have made significant progress in combating deforestation. More than half a century ago, the United Nations launched the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP). The scheme introduced the innovative initiative of “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation”.

Over the years, countries severely affected by deforestation, such as Vietnam and Nigeria, have received substantial support from UNEP. UNEP provided technical assistance to Vietnam in designing an organic farming model to protect fragile mangrove forests. It also promoted forest management and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria, improving rural livelihoods.

These success stories should inspire us to take action against deforestation. One simple step is going paperless and digitising documents whenever possible. Additionally, participating in tree-planting activities helps raise awareness and promotes biodiversity in our communities. Even small actions can have a meaningful impact on the planet.

Undoubtedly, deforestation has irreversibly affected ecosystems, causing global concern. However, with unity and perseverance, we can eliminate deforestation. Let us strive for a green planet together.