By Low Win Li
‘We exist in a world today where everything can be faked or fixed. Noses can be changed, and stomachs can be tightened, and cellulite can be lasered away, apparently. Because that’s what we are told to do, which is alter ourselves in order to be beautiful.’[1]
A January 2019 study published in The Lancet surveyed 12,866 adolescents aged 13-16. The researchers noted that very frequent use of social media was associated with higher incidence of psychological distress, especially among young girls. ‘Our results suggest that social media itself doesn’t cause harm, but frequent usage may contribute to lesser time spent on activities that have a positive impact on mental health,’ said study co-author Russell Viner, of UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. These activities includes getting proper sleep, spending time with our loved ones in person, getting exercise. This theory is not new: a Canadian study published in July in the journal Jama Pediatrics suggests that time spent on social media replaces time which could be spent on more uplifting activities, such as sports or being outside.
The online world may provide users with a greater ability to choose our “image” – but it also allows us to mask our identity (hence the birth of our resident “keyboard warriors”). We have more control on social media: we can untag or delete unflattering photos of us, or pick how we want to portray ourselves. With ever-developing technology, we have greater access to tools that allow us to highlight specific features of our lives or of our bodies, in ways we couldn’t do as easily offline.[2]
An example of such applications is Facetune, which allows users to edit their photos: it could help make someone’s eyes look bigger, their body curvier, making their nose taller – you name it, it can be done. The Boston University School of Medicine’s dermatology department reported that people go to plastic surgeons requesting “fuller lips, bigger eyes, or a thinner nose” to mimic what they see in photo filters.[3] The “Snapchat dysmorphia” trend is a clear after-effect of comparisons on social media.
What can I do about the way I view myself?
There is no fool-proof solution to get rid of our insecurities once and for all. However, we can reduce the frequency of things that may influence or trigger our insecurities. Lili Reinhart shared her tips of learning to embrace who she is, and not what she thinks she should be based on the standards of society[4]:
- Cleanse yourself and your surroundings of content that makes you feel less beautiful
She shared that she had unfollowed accounts on Instagram that made her question the shape and curves of her body. This can include accounts that post heavily edited photos, unrealistic expectations of completing a diet regime, accounts that only support a certain body type – or accounts of models or celebrities if need be.
- Living a more active lifestyle
Lili mentioned she took up the initiative to be more physically active, as she wanted to feel healthier on the inside. A study published in 2017 in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise journal found that even just 30 minutes of exercise was able to create a more positive view towards a woman’s own body image. It was reported that women felt both slimmer and stronger post-workout.[5]
- Consistency
Lili emphasised on the need to cleanse her mind and her surroundings daily – keyword: daily. It requires us to invest into ourselves day by day. After all, our success is dependent on our effort.
What can I do about the view of others (what does the law say about body-shaming)?
But what if other than dealing with your own body image, you have to deal with others who call you out for your body as well?
Body-shaming is considered as a form of cyberbullying. In a Facebook post (that has since become inaccessible), the Ministry of Health Malaysia declared, ‘The victim can report an offence to the police or to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).’[6]
Taking a deeper look into Section 233(1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the act of body-shaming was not specifically mentioned. However, the nature of body-shaming does fit the description of an offence that is caught under this section.
An offence caught under this section refers to ‘any comment, request, suggestion or communication’ that is ‘obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive’, made for the purpose of ‘annoying, abusing, threatening or harassing a person online.’
The punishment involves being subjected to a fine up to RM 50,000 or a maximum one-year jail term, or both. Not to mention an additional RM 1,000 for every day the offence is continued after conviction.[7]
During one of their latest podcast episodes of ‘Mamak Sessions’[8], hosts Jin Lim, Ryan Yee, and Shu Faye discussed on the possible impact this law would be having in the online world. On one hand, the mere knowledge of the existence of this law and its consequences may make the public think twice and be more mindful about what they post or say to others. On the other hand, how do we define the extent of body-shaming? What is considered as body-shaming? What is the threshold? Additionally, do we really live in a day and age where we require a law to tell us not to shame others for how they look or who they are?
However, in light of late K-Pop star/actress Sulli who was often bombarded with hate spewed towards her online, the step of bringing awareness to this law should also be commended. Let us learn to be more mindful not only about the way we view ourselves, but also in acting more responsibly towards others and what we say to them.
[1] Glamour, ‘Lili Reinhart’s Revealing Speech About Body Image | Glamour WOTY 2018’ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Au62AcSDsw> accessed 3 September 2019
[2] C. Erickson, ‘The Social Psychology of the Selfie’ (15 February 2013, Mashable UK) https://mashable.com/2013/02/15/social-media-and-the-selfie/?europe=true#E5Wh4QpwdZq8
[3] Cameren Rogers, ‘’Snapchat Dysmorphia’: Seeking Selfie Perfection’ (WebMD) https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20180810/snapchat-dysmorphia-seeking-selfie-perfection
[4] Julie Mazziotta, ‘Lili Reinhart on Unrealistic Body Standards and ‘Trying to Navigate My Fluctuating Weight’’ (People, 12 November 2018) <https://people.com/health/lili-reinhart-unrealistic-body-standards-fluctuating-weight/> accessed 3 September 2019
[5] Lindsay Holmes, ‘Just A Small Amount Of Exercise Can Improve Body Image’ (HuffPost, 28 July 2017) <https://www.huffpost.com/entry/exercise-body-image_n_597b54d1e4b02a8434b614a6>
[6] May Vin Ang, ‘Ministry of Health: You Can Be Fined RM 50K or Jailed For Calling Someone Fat Online’ (SAYS, 17 October 2019) <https://says.com/my/news/ministry-of-health-says-body-shaming-is-an-online-crime-fine-50k-or-jail>
[7] Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, s.233(3) <https://www.mcmc.gov.my/commons/viewdetail.aspx?docid=560>
[8] JinnyboyTV Hangouts, “Mamak Sessions – Body Shaming Will Land You In Jail” (YouTube, 18 October 2019) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMx9tqwzQS4>
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