How Social Media Shapes Black Girls

New America notes that social media has undeniably transformed not just how Black teen girls socialize and communicate, but also how they learn. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have created space within the Black community for teen girls to be creative, connect with others, and express themselves. While these opportunities may sound very positive, it comes at a price.

This reminds me of something that happened with my niece, Lois, in 2021. She was a high school senior at the time, and I began to notice a sudden change in how she dressed and applied her makeup. At first, I regarded this as one of those teenage phases. Before long, she changed her appearance in a way that did not reflect our cultural values. Curious, I asked her where her new style was coming from. She replied, “Aunty Gee, I want to look like Miss A. I am her fan, and I follow her on Facebook.”

She dismissed every piece of advice on why she should be herself. The cost? She faced a mountain of unique intersections of race, gender, and beauty ideals. For her, Facebook became an arena that amplified unrealistic beauty standards and Eurocentric notions. She eventually became introverted and depressed.

Research published by ScienceDirect confirms that Black teens who use social media are more likely to want to change their skin tone, hair, face, and more. Lois’s experience is a clear example of this. She was trying hard to become someone she wasn’t, influenced by the celebrities and influencers she followed online.

Is social media a double-edged sword? Absolutely. Can we help Black teen females build a healthy self-image in this digital age? Yes, we can—and we must.

Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword

Social media can empower Black teens to celebrate their culture, style, and individuality. Black creators like Marsai Martin, Nyakim Gatweck, Nyma Tang, and Jackie Aina are among the many Black women who have been role models to Black teens looking for a safe social media space to affirm Black beauty, brilliance, and voice.

However, while the celebrities mentioned above represent Black culture and positivity, many others don’t, exposing Black teen girls to content that glorifies:

Light skin
Straight hair
Narrow nose
Thinner lips
Light colored eyes (blue, green)
High cheekbones
Flat buttocks and hips
Slim figure

According to the American Psychological Association, social media algorithms, follows, likes, and content engagement rewards put Black teens under pressure, and many of them begin to internalize the message that they are not beautiful enough or are “less than.”

The Impact on Mental Health and Identity

According to a 2023 report by Digital Wellness Lab, YouTube at 71% and TikTok at 51% are among the top social media apps teens use. Many of these teens, mostly Black girls, suffer from body dysmorphia–a mental health condition where certain people are preoccupied with flaws they perceive are present on their body. Psypost suggested that body dysmorphia is responsible for the high self-objectification and depression symptoms among many Black teens.

The findings from the National Library of Medicine presents body dysmorphia ass more disturbing. Body dysmorphia can lead to anxiety, trigger emotional distress, and negative self-evaluation. Lack of positive representation and the exhausting energy required to navigate colorism and racism make the issue more complicated.

In addition to the mental and emotional strain, this excessive social media use can get quite addictive as many Black girls spend hours scrolling through filtered images. This constant exposure also disrupts sleep patterns when it becomes a routine. Another impact is misinformation about beauty standards, identity, and health trends, which fuels unhealthy choices.

Some Black teenage girls begin to question what makes them who they are, “their racial identity.” To fit in, they turn to bleaching, excessive makeup, and hair straightening, not because these are their natural preference, but because of pressure from social media use.

These pressures can compound to impact the physical well-being of these girls, resulting in stress-related health issues like headaches, disordered eating, and fatigue.

Building a Healthy Self-Image in the Digital Age

Black teens who flaunt their beautiful dark skin and wear natural hair may notice that their white counterparts with straight hair have a higher online engagement rate versus their own pages. This has created a subtle, harmful notion that being more “white” means worth and beauty. Despite this, social media can be powerful if parents, mentors, teachers, and the Black community support Black teens. Here is how:

1. Encourage curated feeds.

Education and support begins at home. Parents must first help ensure that their teenagers follow social media accounts that reflect diverse beauty. Monitor who your children follow on social media. Encourage content creators with dark skin and natural hair; and influencers, and those who support Black culture unapologetically. If parents do this first, mentors and teachers can complement their efforts to ensure our girls know their worth.

2. Introduce other real-life models.

Visibility does not necessarily mean representation. Way beyond celebrities on social media, we need to introduce our teens to other Black women from different walks of life, not just celebrities. Your teen should be introduced to attainable goals from real people in your community such as scientists, activists, authors, entrepreneurs, and lawyers who are making waves in their various fields.

3. Create media-free zones within the home.

We must encourage offline hobbies that can help boost teens’ confidence and self-esteem. Activities like sports, public speaking, the arts, or volunteering can provide a healthy balance to their online activities. By promoting these activities, we can reassure parents and stakeholders about the well-being of our teens.

4. Celebrate Black identity.

If we want our history and culture to be celebrated, it starts with us. Black representation must start locally, then spread. We must openly discuss our identity and race and ensure that our homes, schools, and community reflect our diverse experiences.

A Call for Cultural and Corporate Responsibility

YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media giants must take deliberate actions to diversify their algorithms

These social media giants should promote creators from Black backgrounds because they are underrepresented, and moderate colorist content

Tokenism, a practice where someone includes people from minority groups just to appear diverse or fair without truly supporting or valuing them, should not enter our society today. Beauty and fashion brands must embrace inclusive campaigns and product lines to complement the efforts of the Black communities if our teens are to grow up in a society that radiates their worth, amplifies their voice, and affirms their beauty

At Elevate Black Health, we believe everyone has a role to play in ensuring our Black teen girls can redeem their self-image and embrace their uniqueness.

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