Social networks and body image among preadolescents: new challenges for physical education teachers. A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Social media usage by preadolescents has been linked to negative impacts on their body image and physical activity levels. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok’s focused on visuals can skew their perception of their own bodies. This cross- sectional research aimed to investigate the relationship among social network use, body satisfaction and physical activity levels. Methods: A sample of 2378 Italian preadolescents was recruited. Overall, 778 (males: 54.1%; females: 45.9%) participants were 11 years old, 766 (males: 51.9%; females: 48.1%) were12 years old and 834 (males: 52.5%; females: 47.5%) were13 years old. Two anonymous and self-administered questionnaires were used to investigate: daily social media use; body satisfaction (BS), and physical activity levels (PA). Descriptive statistics were computed for all the investigated variables using the statistical software STATA 15. Spearman rank correlations were used to investigate the relationship between body satisfaction and physical activity level according to the daily social media use for both sexes. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The most used social media platformsare Instagram and TikTok and that body satisfaction is lower among physically inactive preadolescents using social networks for more than 2 h/day. Additionally, statistically significant relationships between BS and PA were found for all females using Instagram ([2 h/day: p[0.005;\2 h/day:p\0.001) while for males the relationship was found only for those using Instagram\2 h/day (p\0.001). Regarding TikTok users, statistically significant relationships between BS and PA were found for all females users ([2 h/day: p[0.001;\2 h/day:p\0.05), as well as for males ([2 h/day: p[0.0001;\2 h/day:p\0.005). Conclusions: Engaging in sports and physical activities is known to have numerous benefits, such as promoting physical health, fostering a positive body image, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing confidence. It is, therefore, imperative that physical education teachers prioritize the promotion of an active lifestyle, particularly considering the detrimental effects of excessive digital engagement. References 1. Cash, T., & Smolak, L. (2011). Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention (2nd ed.). Guilford Press, 2011. 2. Fardouly, J., Magson, N. R., Rapee, R. M., Johnco, C. J., & Oar, E. L. (2020). The use of social media by Australian preadolescents and its links with mental health. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(7), 1304–1326. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22936 3. Leggett-James, M. P., & Laursen, B. (2022). The consequences of social media use across the transition into adolescence: body image and physical activity. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 027243162211360. https://doi.org/10.1177/02724316221136043