Social media has only gotten more toxic over the years, now in 2026, it has only gotten worse because of the cruel atmosphere that sets unrealistic expectations for young girls. Constantly seeing someone else’s “perfect” life online can turn comparison into an unhealthy habit.
From endless shopping sprees to new diets that promise a “perfect” body, the media pushes flawless appearances and effortless lifestyles that girls feel they need to achieve. The list can go on and on as the media continues to manipulate young girls into thinking that’s what they want.
Trends influence people of all ages, but people tend to follow what is most popular online, no matter its negative aspects. It gives them false beliefs and changes how they view themselves. These beliefs make girls compare themselves to everything and anything they see when scrolling on social media. The trends that circulate across all platforms show warped lifestyles and far-fetched portrayal of living and thinking.
An emerging trend, “something you wouldn’t be jealous of me for” is when someone shares a raw, realistic video that numerous girls could relate to. When something like this comes on ‘For You’ pages across Tiktok, it feels like a breath of fresh air. Trends like these show what life is actually like. They show that people have struggles and insecurities like everyone else and their life isn’t perfect like it may appear. It provides a safe space where they don’t feel the pressure the media upholds.
If more trends were like this on social media, women wouldn’t constantly feel like they have to compare themselves to things they see online. Unfortunately, many girls grew up around social media, so those societal standards are all they know. All they witness is someone’s fake, curated online persona. With that kind of environment, they can’t help comparing themselves and questioning why they don’t have the seemingly “ideal life”.
Their happiness is constantly destroyed because of exposure to the harsh and unrealistic media. Young girls often only see one side of a person’s life. They’re seeing only what the influencer wants to show, not the struggles they likely go through day to day. Girls have no idea how that person’s life is and the struggle they go through in their day-to-day life, because that isn’t glamorized.
Under nearly any comment section, someone is leaving something hateful, further pushing the narrative of comparison, criticism and negativity that dominates social platforms. Women would much rather see something uplifting in the comments, so why don’t we see that more often in the media?
Positive trends should be pushed onto the algorithm instead of those tearing women down. Girls’ mental health and confidence are harmed by the toxic environment every time they open social media or just look in the mirror because the comparison doesn’t stop when the screen turns off. Women constantly beg for influencers to share their real life, so they can see more than the fake persona that everyone is always so accustomed to. Women would be able to relate so much more to things they see online if it was actually real. Women need to keep in mind that everything they see on social media isn’t true and just because you don’t have the same things as people online doesn’t make you less than.
Many ask why women are constantly being shamed, criticized and made to feel less than, so why don’t we change that and make social media be something women can go to as a positive outlet rather than something so hateful and cruel?
Social media was supposed to be a place to connect, but it is one of the most damaging places a girl can spend her time. Girls deserve better than what social media is giving them. Maturing girls shouldn’t feel pressured to live up to impossible standards. They deserve a space where they can go without constantly being told they are not thin enough, not pretty enough or not living the right kind of life and until social media becomes that space, the damage will only get worse if nothing changes.
