Social media obviously has its pros and cons—it helps create a community like the one curvy women have found online to find support and love from like-minded people. It also opens the door for people to compare themselves to other people and shame others for their body types.

According to recent information found by ABC, researchers have good reason to believe that social media is creating more body issues for users.  Cliff Bennett, Director of Grace counseling said “TV and social media are playing a big role in some people’s body image issues. When there is a lot of pressure for image and there’s a key to being accepted for image, a lot of girls get into that and try to make themselves look as beautiful as they can to find companionship.”

Though it may have already been common sense, the fact that researchers are actually studying the effects of social media on body image means that it’s more than just a trend—it’s something that’s actually affecting men and women on a larger scale, and it needs to be addressed.

The article also talks about the increase in plastic surgery, specifically speaking to Brian Bach, Administrator of Jain Plastic Surgery who said, “Breast lifts, abdominoplasty, tummy tucks and liposuction and face lifts—there is a large uptick in clients wanting face lifts and facial work done, both male and female. [Patients are] unhappy overall about their image and I don’t know if they will be completely happy, but they are always trying to change something.” Unfortunately that’s the society that we live in, but hopefully curve communities like Runway Riot can promote a safe place for women to feel confident about their bodies instead of chasing a unrealistic standards that society has ingrained into people’s minds.