It’s all over social media and in your day to day life. You see a comment below an Instagram photo and think, what is that person’s problem? You either scroll past it or fight with them in the comments. People see and hear body shaming everywhere. Was it in a joking manner? Or was that person serious about what they’ve commented? Either way, it’ll bring someone down. Body shaming isn’t a joke whatsoever. It is, in fact, bullying; you’re saying something rude to the person with the intentions of hurting their self-esteem. Body shaming wasn’t that big of a deal until social media started to really kick in. Most of this takes place by teenagers bored and on their phones. They see something they don’t like, pick it out, and there you have it: a rude comment added.

There are many effects of body shaming. You have to be a certain way: Perfect. “Perfect Smile. Perfect everything. Buy a product guaranteeing that perfect image.” explains Doug Mayer (Junior). If you don’t look like a girl from Victoria’s Secret Angel’s, then you need to look like her. If you don’t have muscles like Superman or Deadpool, you need to work out more. These are all stereotypes people get about their body if it isn’t how someone likes it. We all have our own opinions, we all have different bodies as well. The effects of body shaming aren’t something pretty or cool: Social anxiety, eating disorders to be the perfect body type, depression, and more that can develop because of this serious issue.

“If you’re comfortable with what you look like then that’s what it is. If you want to do something more, go for it.” Says Mayer. It’s all about being comfortable in your own skin; you shouldn’t let someone bring you down just because they are that picky. Own who you are, yes that sounds pretty cheesy, but it works, the motivational quotes from Pinterest are right. If someone has something to say, ignore it. Delete that comment, walk away from them. Ignore them. You don’t need that. You don’t need someone to tell you what you’re supposed to look like.

Yeah, yeah. There are always two sides to the equation. One side is hurt and being emotionally destroyed currently, and the other side thinks that they’re just trying to help by pointing it out. Yes, we know you want to “help.” But is it really helping? Of course, it isn’t. People take what you say, and it tears apart their confidence and self-esteem. They start to eat less or eat more. Excessively work out, or not work out at all. Their anxiety shoots through the roof just because of some sad comment. You don’t have to look like Marilyn Monroe or James Dean; you have the choice to change if you want to. Your mind can’t be made up for some stupid comment. Those comments seriously don’t mean a thing, just a waste of time.