"I think when you really like get down to it like it's not like it's any of our fault. It's literally the app is designed to do this. The app is designed. We're given filters. We're literally told like you don't look good enough. Put this filter on your face." — Alex Cooper
"If you are not paying for the product which is TikTok Instagram snapchat none of us pay for it right it's great it's free no it's not if you're not paying for the product you are the product." — Alex Cooper
"If you are spending a ton of time on social media like during your leisure time so not for work not for school then you're probably not sleeping as much. You're probably not getting together with your friends face to face probably not talking to your family as much exercising getting outside and enjoying nature you know all of these things that we know from decades of research are good for human health and happiness. You may not be doing them as much so that's one." — Dr. Jean Twenge
The episode begins with host Alex Cooper addressing a recent incident where she was exposed for photoshopping her images on social media. She delves into her personal history with editing photos, tracing it back to high school insecurities fueled by bullying about her body type. Cooper explains how this practice evolved into a habit in college and post-college, driven by a desire to curate a perfect online image. The narrative then shifts to a specific incident in Las Vegas where a birthday photo was shared unedited by a friend, leading to her Photoshop use being publicly revealed on TikTok. This event triggered intense backlash and personal reflection.
Cooper engages in a conversation with Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist researching the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among younger generations. Dr. Twenge highlights the significant increase in depression and anxiety among young women since the rise of smartphones and social media, noting that platforms like Instagram are designed to be addictive and can exacerbate body image issues. She points to internal Facebook research indicating that Instagram negatively affects the body image of one in three teen girls and is linked to suicidal thoughts in a small but significant percentage of users.
The conversation emphasizes the artificial nature of online presentation, with Cooper and Twenge discussing how edited images create unrealistic beauty standards. Cooper shares her recent efforts to detach from this culture, including disabling comments and likes on her own posts, and reflects on the profound negative impact social media, including the tendency to compare oneself to non-existent standards, can have on self-worth. She concludes by advocating for more mindful social media usage, setting boundaries, and prioritizing mental well-being over online validation, urging listeners to consider the time and emotional energy spent on these platforms.