Images from media and advertisements for consumer products flood the market. These images and ads have been carefully built to convey certain values, images, preconceived notions and to sell a product or an idea. Although the male body image has been less affected by these cultural expectations and the media than the female body image has, men are not immune to body image concerns. Young girls are stricken by concerns of body image even before puberty.

Forms of bullying like body shaming, fat shaming, and slut shaming (which can occur online and offline) can have a negative influence on body image and lead to low self-esteem, both of which are related to body dysmorphic disorder. While social media may not cause body dysmorphic disorder, it may act as a trigger in those already genetically predisposed to the disorder, or it could worsen existing symptoms.

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