It has been over a year since workplaces have migrated to the digital sphere due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the physical and mental side effects of this migration are only being realised now. A new study suggests the rise of ‘Zoom dysmorphia’, a phenomenon wherein individuals see themselves in an increasingly negative light through the unedited webcam view of online teleconferencing applications. This name is taken from the current market leader Zoom.

Supporting this, a study of 7,000 participants in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology showed that increased use of videoconferencing tools and filters leads to ‘worsening anxiety, mental health, and self-perception’, with 71% of respondents being anxious or stressed about a return to in-person activities.

The search terms ‘acne’ and ‘wrinkles’ have also increased since the beginning of international lockdowns – both symptoms of anxiety and depression, the two mental health problems that have skyrocketed as a result of this isolation. This may also be attributed to an increased fixation on self-appearance. The stress and worry caused by this lead to these symptoms, causing a vicious cycle of negative self-perception.

Digital representation and body dissatisfaction

As a space of expression, free from the bodily limitations of reality, social media has become a space where individuals have crafted aspirational constructions of themselves. At times, this may be a liberating experience, as the judgement of peers and real-life consequences are left behind and pure agency is achieved. However, this ‘dream self’ may also be unrealistic and overly-edited to the point of disconnect.

Coined in 2015, ‘Snapchat dysmorphia’ involves heavily filtered stills or videos taken on the social media application. As a precursor to Zoom dysmorphia, these flipped and altered images augment user appearances into unrealistic, unachievable abstractions. These false representations foster dissatisfaction with their real-life, untampered appearance. In an effort to narrow the disconnect between the digital and real persona, these Snapchat photos are shown to cosmetic specialists as templates for surgery.

However, the newer Zoom dysmorphia adopts the reverse of this; as these individuals go through every single day viewing themselves in online meetings and calls – an action that is new, and unusual pre-pandemic – they recognise flaws or insecurities they have never noticed before and feel as if they must be fixed. This is further heightened by the enabling of side-by-side comparison of faces in conference calls.

Furthermore, the front-facing cameras utilised by Zoom create a ‘funhouse mirror’ effect, distorting facial features, creating images that are not always true to reality. Close-ranging portraits, taken from 12 inches away appears to increase nose size by 30% when compared to one taken from 5 feet. This means that the short focal lengths of laptop cameras provide the illusion of wider, broader features.

These effects have been widely investigated, and studies have shown that there is a correlation between social media use and heightened body dissatisfaction. The photos displayed on social media are posed and very often edited, adhering to the beauty standards of the time. During the lockdown period, heavier reliance on social media meant that these images were the only representations of people individuals had. This creates an echo chamber and an unrealistic perception of humanness and normality.

Post-digital social anxiety

This heightened self-awareness, and perhaps the toll of mental health afflictions, has led many to become anxious about returning to normality where they will face colleagues and peers in an uncontrolled environment.

Many have taken to self-improvement during the self-isolation periods, turning to mediation, healthy eating, exercise, and reading to pass the time. Personal growth, wellbeing, and self-care have become goals for many. The pandemic has allowed many to take time out of their busy schedules for themselves, and focus on self-actualisation, picking up hobbies and ‘fixing’ bad habits.

For others, however, the period was filled with stress, depression, health anxiety, and job precarity. This has led to destructive behaviours such as binge-eating, anorexia, and substance abuse amongst other things. Additionally, those with preexisting medical conditions may have worsened throughout this time.

Those who have deteriorated during the lockdown period may have a greater sense of body dissatisfaction, but also felt a sense of safety in carrying out tasks from home.

Conclusion

Although it is undeniable that many have felt the negative consequences of overuse of video teleconferencing and social media during the pandemic, there are conflicting studies that show the impact digital media has had on active body alteration.

The BBC reported that there has been an international increase in cosmetic surgery requests since the beginning of worldwide stay-at-home mandates. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has seen an increase of 70% in virtual cosmetic surgery consultations from the same time, whilst the American Society of Plastic Surgeons announced a 64% increase.

Contrary to this, a study astonishingly shows that ‘negative attitudes towards cosmetic surgery prevail’. Though digital and physical augmentation has become more popularised and publicised in the era of the insta-celebrity, a paradox remains wherein ‘cosmetic surgery remains secretive, stigmatized, and moralized despite its surging popularity.’

Zoom dysmorphia is one of the many negative social consequences that have emerged from the pandemic, and the increasing reliance on digital technologies as social mediums. With further research and investment in medical programmes, we can only hope that these ramifications may be unlearned.

About the Author: Shadine Taufik

Shadine Taufik is a contributing Features writer with expertise in digital sociology and culture, philosophy of technology, and computational creativity.