Digital Platforms' Impact on Self-Esteem and Body Satisfaction among Young Women in District Faisalabad

Abstract

The present study explored the effects of digital platforms on self-esteem and body satisfaction among young women in District Faisalabad. The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok has increasingly exposed young women to appearance-related content, including edited images and idealised beauty standards. The study examined the relationship between digital platform use, self-esteem, body satisfaction and appearance comparison among 150 respondents aged 18–30 years, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, a chi-square goodness-of-fit test and a weighted mean score analysis. The chi-square test showed that responses to most self-esteem and body-satisfaction statements departed significantly from a uniform distribution (p < .01), particularly for items on appearance-based self-esteem, social comparison and confidence, which indicates a clear direction of opinion rather than random variation; items on influencers' effect on beauty ideals and changed beauty perceptions did not differ significantly from a uniform distribution. The weighted mean analysis of five suggested interventions found that limiting time spent on social media was viewed most favourably (WM = 2.213), while institutional guidance from educational bodies was the least supported (WM = 1.787); both fell in the moderate range. The findings suggest that digital platforms are associated with how young women perceive their bodies and themselves, although the cross-sectional design means the results should be read as association rather than proof of causation. The study recommends greater emphasis on digital literacy education, positive body image campaigns and awareness of the effects of edited and unrealistic online content, to support healthier self-perception among young women.