The Harms of Social Media, and Giving Up a Career as a Fitness Influencer with Mary Jelkovsky

Algorithmic Influence

Social media algorithms often push users towards extreme and harmful content, exacerbating issues like eating disorders and body image problems. Christy Harrison explains how these algorithms create a feedback loop that promotes extreme diets and wellness routines, leading users down dangerous rabbit holes 1. Mary Jelkovsky shares her experience of how the algorithm rewarded her for extreme content, which contributed to her eating disorder 2. This manipulation by algorithms can have severe consequences, especially for young users.

   

Mental Health Struggles

Mary's journey as an influencer began at 16, leading to severe mental health struggles. She describes how portraying a perfect life online worsened her eating disorder and body image issues 3. The pressures of maintaining an online persona led to severe anxiety and cyberbullying, impacting her mental well-being 4. Christy Harrison adds that sometimes, the best advice is to not get caught up in wellness culture's constant push for self-optimization 5.

   

Life After Influencing

Transitioning away from an influencer career is challenging, as Mary contemplates the long-term sustainability of her online presence. She expresses her love for connecting with people but struggles with the performative nature of social media 6. Christy Harrison7. The toxic environment of social media has made Mary consider leaving the platform entirely for her well-being 8.