Digital Empowerment: Transformation of Women's Body Display Norms in the Age of Social Media

Bai, Ali
Vahedian, Morteza
Hessari, Hassan
Bai, Mohammad
Ghahreman, Rashin
Piri, Hasan

Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)
Vol. 3 No. 8 (2024): August 2024

The increasing prominence of body display on social media has transformed how women engage with self-presentation and identity construction. This study examines the role of digital platforms, particularly Instagram, in reshaping norms surrounding body image and physical capital. Through 29 in-depth interviews, the research explores how women navigate digital spaces to express their identities, often challenging traditional societal expectations. Social media provides a unique environment where users can both display and reconfigure their physical appearance, empowering women to redefine their self-image. However, the freedom offered by these platforms also introduces challenges, such as heightened body dissatisfaction and mental health concerns, driven by the pressures of online visibility and comparison.