Technological advances have led to the advent and widespread use of social media websites that allow people to connect with one another through the internet. Despite the possible benefits, sites like Facebook can lead to self-esteem issues as people become worried with the number of friends and likes they earn. Similarly, photographic advancements have led to new software, including Adobe Photoshop, which can also create self-image problems, specifically when advertisers and magazines use it unrealistically edit a model for aesthetics. As with many other big issues, the Comedy Central program South Park examines and parodies the effects of these new technologies in a simplified yet humorous way. By analyzing South Park’s perspective on these issues, it is possible to view an array of arguments regarding the negative impacts of Facebook and Photoshop while …show more content…
For instance, adding disclaimers to images of models that have been doctored is minimally effective, if even at all (Fredrick et al 173-174). Solutions such as these may not work as many alterations completed in Photoshop are cosmetic, such as stray hairs or spots of acne, and do not substantially alter a model’s body. Still, it is proven that prolonged exposure to heavily edited photographs can cause self-image and confidence decreases. One such solution could be the classification of these extensive edits as deceptive advertising if the body is altered in a way that is unrepresentative of the model or is otherwise an unrealistic expectation of the body. While this could weed out harmful edits, it could also allow the previously mentioned cosmetic changes to remain, as those are less likely to create self-esteem problems. In conclusion, the negative effects created by heavily Photoshopped images could be prevented while still allowing editing tools to be used to clean