Facing up to social media

BY NICOLA STURGEON THERE’S no doubt that one of the biggest differences between the daily life of today’s young people and that of their predecessors is the use of social media.

Apps such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are important ways for people to communicate with each other. Rarely a day goes by when I don’t post on my social media channels.

I’m also frequently asked for a selfie with people that I meet – and for many young people, posting selfies is part of everyday life.

Many people understandably get a boost from lots of people “liking” their photos. But with this comes pressure, stress and – sadly – sometimes critical comments about personal appearance.

The Scottish Government recently published research that showed how social media use, disrupted sleep, body image concerns and school-related pressures all contribute to concerns about mental health in young people.

This shows the kind of pressures that young people, and especially young women and girls, face growing up in the digital age.

Sometimes even the most casual remark can have a lasting impact on someone’s confidence and self-esteem.

Living in the public eye, I’m well aware of the focus on appearance. Even in 2019, there is still a tendency to reduce women in particular to outfits or what they look like.

All too often it’s seen as innocent or something that should be laughed off.

Well, it’s not a laughing matter. It’s not something that we should accept, whether on social media, in person or anywhere else.

That is why the Scottish Government is working on social media advice – created by young people, for young people – to deal with these channels and to signpost support.

Initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week provide an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the issue. This can only help to make sure young people who are worried about their mental health or body image know that it’s OK to ask for help – and it’s OK not to be OK. ONE in five young people feels ashamed of the way they look, a startling survey has found.

A charity polled Scots youths aged 10 to 19 to examine the impact of body image issues on mental health – the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019.

The poll by Mental Health Foundation Scotland also found one in seven young people had stopped eating or restricted their diet to try to feel better about their body image.

And one in 10 said concerns about the way they look had stopped them from going to school or college – while more than a quarter BY VIVIENNE AITKEN Health Editor said it had stopped them from taking part in sports.

The shock findings come after figures revealed that one in seven Scots adults had experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of their body image.

In response to the new poll, the Scottish Government has announced an expert group, which will develop a charter on healthy body image for young people and develop ways to offer better support, including in schools.

Mental health minister Clare Haughey will announce the advisory group’s full remit

TACKLING BODY IMAGE PROBLEMS

when she visits Girl Guides today.

Julie Cameron, of Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said: “It’s incredibly concerning that so many young people across Scotland have told us they feel ashamed of their body image and the way they look.

“Worries about body image can lead to mental health problems and in some instances are linked to self-harm and suicidal thoughts and feelings.

“It is also clear from the survey that teenagers are identifying images on social media as a key factor that makes them worry about