Body Image Issues in the Age of
Instagram
Subject: English Core (301)
Class: 12th
Session: 2024–25
Name: [Your Name]
Roll Number: [Your Roll Number]
School: [Your School Name]
Teacher: [Teacher's Name]
Statement of Purpose / Objectives / Goals
This project aims to explore the influence of Instagram on the body image of teenagers
and young adults. It seeks to:
- Understand how curated posts, filters, and influencer culture impact self-esteem.
- Highlight the psychological effects of body dissatisfaction.
- Promote awareness of media literacy and body positivity.
Certificate of Completion
This is to certify that [Your Name], a student of Class 12, has successfully completed the
English Core project titled “Body Image Issues in the Age of Instagram” under my
guidance and supervision during the academic session 2024–25.
Signature of Teacher
Name: [Teacher's Name]
Date: ___________
Action Plan
- Day 1–2: Select topic, confirm with teacher
- Day 3–5: Research articles, Instagram posts, reels, and surveys
- Day 6–8: Write rough draft and collect visuals (memes, quotes, charts)
- Day 9–10: Finalize hand-written report (1000 words)
- Day 11: Prepare for viva and compile project file
Project Report
In the era of digital media, platforms like Instagram have become deeply embedded in the
lives of young people.
While these platforms offer space for creativity and connection, they have also
contributed to rising concerns
about body image and self-esteem. This report explores how Instagram influences body
image, especially among
teenagers, and what can be done to address the issue.
Body image refers to how individuals perceive, think, and feel about their own bodies. A
positive body image means
accepting and appreciating one’s body, while a negative body image involves
dissatisfaction, shame, or discomfort
with one's appearance.
Instagram’s Role in Shaping Body Image:
- Highly edited photos and filters create unrealistic beauty standards.
- Influencers and celebrities promote “ideal” body types that are often unattainable.
- Constant comparison with others can lead to feelings of inferiority.
- The focus on likes, comments, and followers reinforces the idea that appearance equals
worth.
Impact on Teenagers:
- Low self-esteem and increased anxiety
- Disordered eating habits like crash dieting
- Obsessive behavior with selfies, fitness, or weight
- Body Dysmorphia – an unhealthy fixation with perceived body flaws
- Depression and social withdrawal in some cases
Why It’s a Growing Problem:
- Teens are spending 4–5 hours a day on Instagram on average
- The popularity of trends like “glow-up challenges” or “body transformation” reels
- Lack of media literacy to recognize digital manipulation
- Peer pressure and the need for external validation
Possible Solutions:
- Promote Digital Literacy: Teach students how to spot edited or filtered images
- Follow Realistic Influencers: Support pages that promote body positivity
- Take Social Media Breaks: Reduce daily screen time
- Mental Health Support: Schools should offer counseling for body image concerns
- Parental and School Involvement: Open conversations about self-worth and identity
Conclusion:
Body image issues in the age of Instagram are real, pressing, and harmful. While social
media isn’t entirely to
blame, it does amplify unrealistic beauty standards. Awareness, education, and self-
acceptance are key to helping
young people develop a healthy relationship with their bodies—both online and offline.
Bibliography / Resources
1. [Link] (articles on teen mental health)
2. [Link] (articles on body image)
3. Instagram accounts (public posts used for examples)
4. Survey conducted among classmates (if applicable)
5. CBSE English Core Project Guidelines
