Assessing photo-specific social media, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression: a nationwide cross-sectional study on adolescents and young adults

This study provides evidence from a Pakistani cohort that engagement with photo-specific social media is associated with body dissatisfaction and poorer mental health, with females being particularly vulnerable. The finding that the importance placed on photo filters is a key predictor highlights a critical risk factor. These results emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies, including media literacy programs that critically address photo-editing and curated content and accessible mental health support for young people.