Abstract

In this essay, we delve into the profound impact of AI filters and social media algorithms on the vulnerable minds of female teenagers, including my own, while exploring the underlying mechanisms that fuel body dissatisfaction and influence harmful comparisons. We aim to navigate the role of technology, especially AI algorithms, in perpetuating societal norms to comprehend how seemingly harmless digital features can be detrimental to self-esteem and body image perception, inadvertently leading to eating disorders such as anorexia or plastic surgery addiction. Furthermore, psychological concepts such as social comparison theory and learned helplessness help illustrate the effect that body dysmorphia has on individual and societal influence. Additionally, we explore psychological theories that can help combat the issue, including cognitive behavioral theory and positive psychology. These theories can be implemented into AI tools with the potential to improve the situation.

Keywords: Eating Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, AI, social media, algorithm

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