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Social media alters nutrition and body perception in children, leading to disturbing consequences
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A global review conducted by scientists from the University of North Texas (USA) has revealed how social media negatively influences children's eating habits, starting at an early age. The results of the study were published in the journal Encyclopedia.
Key facts
- Young children are vulnerable: Social media exposure is already influencing the food preferences of children aged 5–8, making them one of the earliest groups to experience behavioural changes due to online activity.
- Advertising Campaigns: Social media platforms are actively used to promote unhealthy food products, which leads to children becoming more inclined to eat unhealthy foods.
- Peer pressure: Videos and photos of friends or popular bloggers consuming unhealthy foods create pressure for children to follow suit.
- Idealized Body Images: Regularly viewing "ideal" images can lead to body dissatisfaction and trigger the development of unhealthy eating behaviors.
Study design
The authors conducted a systematic review of 25 studies published from 2020 to 2024. Four main topics were analyzed:
- The impact of advertising harmful products.
- Peer pressure to eat unhealthy foods.
- Distorted body image and associated eating disorders.
- Decreased quality of meals due to distraction from social media.
Key observations
Advertising and influence of bloggers:
- Children exposed to advertisements for foods high in sugar, fat and calories are more likely to choose unhealthy foods.
- Bloggers and influencers promoting such products are increasing the influence of social media on food preferences.
Screen Time and Habits:
- Long-term social media use has been associated with skipping meals, unhealthy snacking, emotional eating, and low physical activity.
- Children who frequently post food-related content are at higher risk of restrictive eating and weight anxiety.
Body perception:
- Idealized images promoted on social media cause body dissatisfaction, which leads to strict diets and eating disorders.
Inaccurate information:
- Misinformation about nutrition spread through social media is reducing children's knowledge of healthy eating and leading to poor food choices.
Significance of the study
- Global findings: The impact of social media on children's diets has been observed in the US, UK, Germany and Australia. However, research from Latin America, Africa and Asia is insufficient to paint a complete picture.
- Age vulnerability: Social media shapes eating habits even in young children (5-8 years old), and in teenagers it contributes to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.
Recommendations
Strict marketing regulation:
Introduce strict restrictions on food advertising to children via social media.Raising Parental Awareness:
Developing resources for parents to help them monitor their children's online activity.Educational programs:
Introduction of media literacy in schools for critical analysis of content on social networks.Using Social Media for Good:
Exploring the Power of Social Media to Promote Healthy Eating Habits.
Conclusions
This study highlights the need for policies to protect children from the negative impact of social media. At the same time, it is important to find ways to use digital platforms to shape healthy eating habits that can be a tool for positive change.