Girls under pressure: How social media influences their lives

Girls under pressure: How social media influences their lives

Social media is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of young girls and women. They not only offer new opportunities, but also significant dangers. A comprehensive study by Plan International that surveyed 26,000 girls and young women in 26 countries shows disturbing results about the impact of fake news. According to the findings, this fake news hinders the political and social engagement of those surveyed. Around 70 percent of girls and women online report violence, particularly in the form of body shaming, which underlines the importance of the issue. Girls who do not dare to express their opinions risk being excluded from important social discourses, which ultimately endangers democracy and the pursuit of equality. vol.at reports that this results in particularly worrying trends.

However, the impact of social media goes beyond important social issues. Heavy use is increasingly linked to an increase in eating disorders and mental health problems. Girls often expose themselves to unrealistic beauty ideals, which can lead to increased insecurities and lower self-esteem. Nevertheless, the study also shows that social media communities can certainly boost girls' self-confidence, provided they are used in a healthy way. Unfortunately, social media often conveys stereotypical images of women and reinforces traditional role models, which promotes anti-feminist movements and toxic ideals of masculinity, especially in online communities. Pressure to perform and optimize due to the constant visibility of certain norms has a negative impact on all genders, with men making less comparisons than women and often appearing less vulnerable.

The risks of constant availability

Overall, the use of social media is an everyday phenomenon for many children and young people in Germany. Many of those affected display risky or even addictive behavior. This development has both positive and negative effects. Scientists have analyzed various health risks in a discussion paper entitled “Social media and the mental health of children and adolescents”. In addition to depression and anxiety symptoms, attention and sleep problems are also mentioned as possible negative consequences. The discussion is particularly intense about how children and young people can be better protected. Suggestions for the application of the precautionary principle and recommendations for action, such as age-dependent access and function restrictions, are central points in this context. Leopoldina has provided important approaches in this regard.

On October 11, 2025, World Girls' Day, the focus is on protecting girls from early and forced marriage. This initiative aims to draw attention to the precarious situations that many girls find themselves in around the world. Digitalization and the challenges posed by social media are indispensable topics. The interaction of social media and the associated dangers shows how important it is to give girls a voice and strengthen their rights in order to ensure equality and democracy. This is the only way we can combat injustices and sustainably improve the future of young women.