Me, Myself and (virtual)I. The Use of Social Media among Pre-teens and its Body-Related Consequences. An Exploratory Study

Image-centric social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are signifi-cantly influencing identity formation, particularly among preadolescents, de-spite age restrictions. These platforms facilitate user-generated content shar-ing, impacting emotional well-being and digital identity shaping. The pervasive use of beauty filters correlates with negative body satisfaction, especially among preadolescents, who often engage in self-comparison with peers. The research highlights the risks of prolonged exposure to filtered images, which can create a disconnect between reality and virtual representations, exacerbat-ing body dissatisfaction and mental health issues. This study involving 2,378 Italian pre-teens revealed that 87.5% use social media, with TikTok and Insta-gram being the most popular. Excessive use and physical inactivity are linked to lower body satisfaction. The study found that females are more affected by so-cial media-induced body dissatisfaction than males. Physical activity is shown to counteract negative body image effects, promoting self-esteem and well-being. Efforts to foster responsible social media use and encourage physical activities are essential. The study emphasizes collaboration among parents, ed-ucators, and institutions to enhance preadolescent well-being by educating them on managing online time and promoting positive body image. Despite its limitations, the study provides crucial insights into the interplay between social media, body satisfaction, and preadolescent well-being.