Social media has imposed a new narrative: the idea that the success of young men inevitably hinges on physical strength, proposing a predefined ideal of masculinity. But, is this truly the key to fulfillment in life ?
“I am a slave to my image and the absurd physiques I see on the internet,” confesses Mattia Cadinu, a fitness influencer with nearly 300,000 followers at just 20 years old. His testimony reveals a disturbing reality: the search for the perfect body exempts no one , not even those who seem to have already achieved it. In the digital realm, judgment is relentless and constant, affecting men as well. A recent article from The Conversation confirms this, delving into this pressing social issue.
Toxic Masculinity on Screen
Social media is flooded with images of chiseled and muscular bodies, often accompanied by superficial advice on how to attain them. However, these aesthetic standards trivialize the real effort required and provide a “simplified and misleading view of the necessary journey.” The consequence is a massive surge in the consumption of protein supplements, excessively controlled diets, obsessive tracking of macronutrients, and dysfunctional weight control practices. Experts have coined a term for this phenomenon: MODE (Muscle-Oriented Eating Disorder).
What’s insidious is how masculinity is presented—explicitly or implicitly—as the only route to erotic and social success . In this framework, teenagers who are “gym rats” prosper while those who are thin or merely “normal” are sidelined. This dichotomy pushes many young individuals to conform, internalizing deep insecurities and developing an obsession with increasing muscle mass . The problem is exacerbated by constant exposure to popular “before and after” images circulating on Instagram or TikTok, showcasing rapid physical transformations under the guidance of a “social coach.”
“When the outer image becomes a priority, balance and equilibrium are lost; the integration between body and mind breaks down,” explains Maura Manca, a sports psychologist and president of the National Adolescent Observatory. She asserts that “the mental image we construct, the one that guides us, becomes the engine of an almost obsessive quest for perfect physical form. There’s an annulment, a living in function of the body and one’s image, to expose, see, and exhibit. ”
What might seem like admirable dedication quickly morphs into a never-ending race, chasing a goal that leads to self-annihilation. “In this manner, internal emotional and mental states are driven by aesthetics, by the amount of muscle mass, and by physical form. A form that can never fully satisfy because the ideal of perfection always seems to move one step further .”
“I Train, Therefore I Exist”
The difference between what is portrayed on social media and reality is a fact, but that is not enough. “Because even when we rationally know that certain images are altered or filtered, we are still conditioned . Other areas of the brain, the more emotional ones, come into play, pushing us to pursue that ideal. A misleading ideal, yet capable of exerting a powerful influence,” emphasizes Manca. “One begins to live in function of that image (virtual): constant, exhausting trainings are prioritized. Socialization is sacrificed, and obsessive thoughts about what, where, and how much to eat develop. Everything else takes a back seat. Interactions diminish, and other activities are compressed,” observes the psychologist.
A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders revealed that 22% of men and 5% of women aged 18 to 20 exhibit MODE behaviors. College students are particularly vulnerable, partly due to their first experiences of autonomy. This troubling phenomenon transcends geographical boundaries, having been observed in both the United States and Iran.
Health Risks
In the United States, a psychological study indicates that over 80% of male college students consume highly processed protein powders or shakes , and more than 50% have used creatine monohydrate to increase mass and strength. Alarmingly, 82% of anabolic steroid users belong to this young demographic. The use of steroids is associated with serious side effects such as “mood alterations, dependence, accelerated androgenic alopecia, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiovascular risk, liver damage, testicular atrophy, and infertility.” Additionally, excessive protein products can lead to “intestinal and metabolic disorders,” especially if systematically used as substitutes for natural sources.
For these youth, training ceases to be an activity they engage in for wellness and balance, becoming an identity statement: “I am this.” Maura Manca concludes: ” Identity fuses with physical image . The mirror defines who we are.”
The Truth Behind the Image
Mattia Cadinu does not blame content creators for these degenerations. “I do not feel responsible for the standard that my physique promotes: it’s the result of years of sacrifice and consistency . It would be like saying Ronaldo is a bad example for young people because he is ‘too strong.’ This rhetoric is used to demonize those who excel and justify those who do not achieve certain results,” he points out. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that fitness influencers must assume their responsibilities while remembering they are flesh and blood beings , not merely “gym rats.”
“I am an extremely insecure person, but I have improved significantly in this respect. Comparison only makes sense if it motivates you to give your best. However, striving for an exact physique will ultimately dishearten you. Each person has unique genetics, structure, and characteristics: you can have a beautiful physique, but never the same one as someone else ,” concludes Cadinu. Now, like many of his peers, Mattia seeks to promote an opposite narrative: that of day-to-day experiences, with their failures and successes. “Fortunately, especially thanks to YouTube, I’m managing to convey that Mattia is not just muscles. Not basing my image solely on physicality has lifted a great burden off my shoulders.” In authenticity, away from the filters of Instagram, Cadinu builds his true strength.