Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review: History
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Contributor:
Victor Prybutok
,
Gayle Prybutok
,
Jesudhas Yogarajah

The widespread use of social media among children has raised concerns about its impact on their dietary habits and health. This systematic review investigates the negative effects of social media on children’s diets to inform evidence-based interventions and policies. A search of peer-reviewed studies from 2020 to 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Studies involving children aged 5–18 and examining social media’s influence on diet were included. Two independent reviewers screened the studies, and data extraction and quality assessment were done using standardized methods. Of 945 identified studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. The key themes included (1) exposure to unhealthy food advertisements, (2) peer influence promoting energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, (3) distorted body image perceptions leading to unhealthy eating, and (4) reduced mealtime quality due to social media distractions. Stronger associations were observed for marketing exposure and peer influence on food choices. The review highlights social media’s negative effects on children’s diets, emphasizing the need for interventions, stricter food marketing regulations, and educational programs to enhance media literacy. Future research should explore the long-term impacts and protective factors to guide policies for creating healthier digital environments for children.

  • social media
  • children’s nutrition
  • dietary behavior
  • food marketing
  • digital health
In recent years, the pervasive presence of social media in children’s lives has raised significant concerns about its impact on various aspects of their well-being, including their dietary habits and nutritional health. As digital platforms continue to evolve and proliferate, children are increasingly exposed to a virtual environment that can shape their food preferences, eating behaviors, and overall relationships with nutrition. The intersection of social media and children’s diets is a complex and multifaceted issue. Social media platforms offer unprecedented access to information about nutrition, healthy recipes, and wellness trends. However, these potential benefits are often overshadowed by the negative influences that dominate many popular social media channels.
Social media platforms have become powerful tools for food and beverage companies to target young audiences with advertisements for unhealthy products. These marketing strategies utilize various sophisticated techniques, including influencer partnerships and interactive content, which have been proven to be particularly effective in shaping children’s food preferences [1][2]. The marketing of unhealthy foods on social media can increase children’s consumption of the promoted products [1]. Studies have emphasized the necessity for regulations and policies to limit children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing on social media platforms [2]. While social media can serve as a significant tool for enhancing consumer awareness about healthy food choices [2], it also presents risks, especially for children. Due to children’s limited cognitive and social development, they are especially susceptible to the promotion of unhealthy foods and beverages [3].
Social media plays a significant role in amplifying peer pressure on children by exposing them to images and videos of friends and influencers consuming unhealthy foods. This exposure can normalize poor dietary choices and create social pressure to conform to unhealthy eating patterns. Studies have shown that peer pressure, influenced by social cognitive variables and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including disordered eating habits. Children aged 5–18 years often express a desire to match their eating habits with those of their peers, indicating a strong influence of social circles on dietary choices [4]. Additionally, children who spend a considerable amount of time in school are vulnerable to peer pressure, which can contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors [5]. The influence of social media on peer pressure related to eating behaviors is multifaceted, with factors such as family socioeconomic status, psychosocial influences, and school-based interventions all playing a role in shaping adolescent dietary habits [5]. The desire to fit in with peers and the impact of social media addiction on eating behaviors further underscore the complex interplay between social influences and dietary choices among children aged 5–18 years [6]. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of peer pressure and social media influence is crucial for addressing and promoting healthy eating behaviors among young adults.
Exposure to idealized body images on social media platforms can create a sense of pressure to conform to unrealistic standards, foster body dissatisfaction, and promote unhealthy eating patterns [7][8]. Research shows that the spread of nutritional misinformation and fad diets on social media can negatively impact eating habits, body image perception, and dietary behaviors across different age groups, with children being particularly vulnerable to confusion and potentially adopting unhealthy or restrictive eating patterns [9].
The proliferation of diet and nutrition content on social media platforms poses growing challenges, especially for young users. Studies indicate that exposure to unreliable nutrition information and trendy diets online can lead to an increased risk of adopting overly restrictive or imbalanced diets. Social media distraction has been associated with lower task performance, increased anxiety, and lower focus levels. The constant availability and engaging nature of social media platforms contribute to distraction, potentially leading individuals to overconsume food and make poor dietary choices. Understanding the role of social media-induced distraction is crucial for addressing challenges related to mindful eating and promoting healthier food choices [10][11]. The impact of social media and fad diets on eating habits, body image perception, and the development of unhealthy dietary behaviors among different age groups is a growing issue. Research has shown that the spread of nutritional misinformation and fad diets on social media platforms can lead to confusion among children, potentially resulting in the adoption of unhealthy or restrictive eating habits [12]. Social media’s influence on eating habits, lifestyle modifications, and body image perception, especially among adults, highlights the need to address the dissemination of inaccurate nutritional information and promote healthy eating behaviors [13]. Understanding the role of fad diets and social media in shaping dietary choices is crucial for promoting a positive body image and healthy eating habits among individuals of all ages [14]. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the negative influences of social media on children’s diets across diverse populations and contexts. This review seeks to establish an evidence base that can inform the development of interventions, policies, and guidelines aimed at mitigating the negative effects of social media on children’s diets.

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/encyclopedia4040111

References

  1. Sacks, G.; Looi, E.S.Y. The Advertising Policies of Major Social Media Platforms Overlook the Imperative to Restrict the Exposure of Children and Adolescents to the Promotion of Unhealthy Foods and Beverages. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4172.
  2. Aldossari, N.; Al-Mahish, M. Social Media and Unhealthy Food Nexus: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Acta Aliment. 2021, 50, 102–111.
  3. Naderer, B. Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children: On the Importance of Regulations, Parenting Styles, and Media Literacy. Curr. Addict. Rep. 2021, 8, 12–18.
  4. Alruwaily, A.; Mangold, C.; Greene, T.; Arshonsky, J.; Cassidy, O.; Pomeranz, J.L.; Bragg, M.A. Child Social Media Influencers and Unhealthy Food Product Placement. Pediatrics 2020, 146, e20194057.
  5. Winzer, E.; Naderer, B.; Klein, S.; Lercher, L.; Wakolbinger, M. Promotion of Food and Beverages by German-Speaking Influencers Popular with Adolescents on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 10911.
  6. Yildiz, M.; Kuyumcu, A. The Relationship Between Nutrition and Exercise Behavior with Social Media Addiction in Adolescent Females. İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Mesl. Yüksek Okulu Derg. 2022, 10, 151–162.
  7. Sidani, J.E.; Shensa, A.; Hoffman, B.; Hanmer, J.; Primack, B.A. The Association Between Social Media Use and Eating Concerns among US Young Adults. J. Acad. Nutr. Diet. 2016, 116, 1465–1472.
  8. Boursier, V.; Gioia, F.; Griffiths, M.D. Selfie-Engagement on Social Media: Pathological Narcissism, Positive Expectation, and Body Objectification—Which Is More Influential? Addict. Behav. Rep. 2020, 11, 100263.
  9. Sen, K.; Prybutok, G.; Prybutok, V. The Use of Digital Technology for Social Wellbeing Reduces Social Isolation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. SSM Popul. Health 2022, 17, 101020.
  10. Rounsefell, K.; Gibson, S.; McLean, S.; Blair, M.; Molenaar, A.; Brennan, L.; Truby, H.; McCaffrey, T.A. Social Media, Body Image and Food Choices in Healthy Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review. Nutr. Diet. 2020, 77, 19–40.
  11. Allman-Farinelli, M.; Rahman, H.; Nour, M.; Wellard-Cole, L. The Role of Supportive Food Environments to Enable Healthier Choices When Eating Meals Prepared Outside the Home: Findings from Focus Groups of 18 to 30-Year-Olds. Nutrients 2019, 11, 2217.
  12. Ertz, M.; Le Bouhart, G. The Other Pandemic: A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Directions of Junk Food Marketing to Children and Childhood Obesity. J. Macromarket. 2022, 42, 30–50.
  13. Shetye, S.; Battalwar, D.R. The Impact of Social Media on Eating Habits, Lifestyle Modifications and Body Image Perception of Adults Aged 20–40 Years. Int. J. Home Sci. 2024, 10, 5–14.
  14. Goerke, K.; Ng, A.H.; Trakman, G.L.; Forsyth, A. The Influence of Social Media on the Dietary Behaviors of Young Australian Adults: A Mixed Methods Exploration. Ment. Health Sci. 2024, 2, 21–26.
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