Instinctively, above cyber bullying and public body shaming, it is these kind of ad / algo quirks that would seem like a key contributing factor. As the author points out, the constant barrage can't help but make you consider your own body.
Apart from the method of using ads and tracking, which I despise, I wonder if this is actually such a bad thing - at least in this particular case: If you aren‘t satisfied with your body there are ways to change that - eating healthy, being active. Of course, that‘s a whole different discussion. I‘m simply wondering if someone should be offended if confronted with healthy and fit people.
Or put differently: Would you complain about ads that show people succesful in their career? A status that is probably harder to achieve and than being fit.
- How many people are really not in control of their health and body? Sure, there are physical exceptions and I‘m not saying it‘s easy, but is it really common that eating healthy and living an active lifestyle is prevented by psychological and social reasons? And if so, isn‘t that an excuse for missing pretty much any goal that requires to overcome some barriers?
- With cyberbullying, suicide and objectification you‘re throwing terms into the discussion that are a major escalation of the ads in question. I don‘t necessarily make that connection or at least think that it‘s a very subjective one and in my opinion those issues rather require work on a personal, individual level for those affected. However, that’s a different discussion.
- Wouldn‘t you agree that one‘s career and professional status is very much related to the perceived self-worth? How is that not relevant to teenagers that are about to start their careers, whether it‘s a high paying tech job or being a cashier at Walmart, very soon. Considering one‘s career options doesn‘t require to already have one - it also applies to future prospects - or lack thereof. And even then grownups aren‘t immune to these considerations and their effects.