In her debut book, Freya India dives into the pressures young women face in today’s digital world. At just 26, she highlights how social media, beauty filters, and Big Tech have reshaped the way girls view themselves, turning their lives into a marketplace of self-optimization.
India believes that many young women see themselves more as products than people. She states, “They’ve grown up thinking their value lies in how they appear online, leading to constant ratings and reviews of their lives.”
In her book, released on May 5, she tackles various aspects of girls’ lives—appearance, emotions, relationships, and future goals. She notes that modern life exaggerates normal anxieties and often profits from them.
Big Tech gets a lot of blame here. When girls feel insecure, they’re bombarded by edited images and algorithms that feed into their doubts. If they’re dealing with emotional issues, they encounter a flood of TikTok “therapists” and influencers promoting quick fixes or medications, often pushing commercial solutions instead of genuine support.
India argues that dating is equally complicated. With platforms like Tinder and content from dating influencers, young women face unrealistic expectations and a sense of confusion about romance. She feels her generation lacks a sense of shared values, reducing life to scrolling and consumption.
Data supports her view: a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that over 60% of teens feel pressure to appear perfect online. This constant comparison can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, particularly among girls.
Freya noticed these trends while working in a café back in 2021, observing her young female customers. The more she watched, the clearer it became that many were struggling with similar feelings of disconnection and anxiety.
The book delves into how social media has replaced traditional anchors in life, like community and family. Instead of finding solidarity in real relationships, girls often turn to online interactions, which can feel shallow or insincere.
India’s writing process not only helped her understand her own anxieties but also deepened her empathy for her peers. She initially intended to write about Gen Z as a whole but realized she could only authentically address the experiences of young women.
Her book serves not just as a reflection for young women but also as a resource for parents, educators, and anyone invested in their well-being.
Her advice? Recognize when you’re viewing yourself as a product and give yourself grace for being human. With a deeper understanding of these issues, we can start to heal the wounds that modern life has inflicted on young women today.
For more insights into the impact of social media on mental health, you can check out resources from the National Institute of Mental Health here.
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Lifestyle,Tech,gen z,girls,social media
