Opción A - 1 · Inglés PAU Navarra Extraordinaria 2024

Opción A

TEENS AND PLASTIC SURGERY IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

In the digital era dominated by social media, teenagers find themselves navigating a complex landscape of beauty standards perpetuated by filters that promise flawless skin, perfected features, and an idealized version of beauty. This phenomenon has given rise to a concerning trend: an increasing number of teenagers resorting to plastic surgery in pursuit of the unattainable perfection they encounter daily on their screens.

Social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat, have popularized beauty filters that enable users to digitally enhance their appearance in photos and videos. These filters, equipped with features like smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, and reshaping facial contours, create an unrealistic standard of beauty that teenagers, in particular, internalize as the norm. The pressure to conform to these digitally altered images has led many adolescents to consider drastic measures, including plastic surgery, to mirror the perfect looks promoted online.

One major consequence of the beauty filter trend is the distortion of self-perception among teenagers. Constant exposure to digitally altered images can contribute to a negative body image and erode self-esteem. As a result, teenagers may seek plastic surgery as a means to adjust their physical appearance with the perceived beauty ideals prevalent on social media. This growing desire for physical perfection raises questions about the long-term impact on the mental health and self-worth of young individuals. Moreover, the accessibility of cosmetic procedures has increased, making them more enticing to teenagers. To make matters worse, some procedures are marketed as minimally invasive, leading adolescents to underestimate the potential risks and implications associated with surgery. The quest for beauty, fuelled by the virtual world, can push teenagers towards making hasty decisions without fully comprehending the permanence and potential consequences of altering their natural features.

Parents and educators play a crucial role in addressing this issue. Open conversations about self-esteem, body image, and the influence of social media are essential to equip teenagers with the tools to critically evaluate the content they consume online. Additionally, promoting a healthy and realistic perspective on beauty, emphasizing individuality and self-acceptance, can counteract the negative impact of beauty filters.

Opción A

1. Answer these questions about the text. Use your own words wherever possible (2 points, 1 each).

a.

In which way are social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat contributing to the problem of plastic surgery on teenagers?

b.

How can parents and educators address this issue?