Body Shaming: The Big No No 

To have perfectly toned thighs, high cheekbones, not so flabby arms and a flat stomach is every guy and girl's dream. To have people comment on their six pack abs and how gorgeous they look, as well to show them off is where social media comes in. Instagram and Facebook are taking over in a rapid pace, making it a platform with over thousands of "gorgeous" and "sexy" celebrities and models, as they share their photos with the rest of the world. 

However things can get quite nasty in the comments sections of these social media platforms, with serious controversy stirring that even models like Gigi Hadid have the need to voice out. 

Gigi Hadid is without a doubt one of the world's most influential and social models at the moment. With over 21.5 million followers and growing on Instagram alone, Hadid is most certainly at domination. However on the downside, she is yet faced with body shaming comments on how she looks, her family roots and all the way up to how she walks! 

Gigi only 21, spoke out on body acceptance and bullying faced on social media. 

"No I don't have the same body type as the other models in shows. No I don't think I'm the best at any given show. I represent a body image that wasn't accepted in high-fashion before. Your mean comments don't make me want to change my body. If I didn't have the body I do, I would've have the career I do. I love that I can be sexy. I'm proud of it." - Gigi Hadid 

And just like Gigi, thousands of models, teenagers and adults are going through the cruelty of body shaming. But one can say that taking account of all the discouragement and doubt, you can turn them into your strengths. 

I had the opportunity to let the youth of Sri Lanka raise their voice with regards to the issue and I must say, I do agree with all! 

Everyone does things for a reason. Behave a certain way because it's their nature. I think that bullies feel insecure about themselves. They harass and prey on the weak only to exert that rage and frustration within them. Why do you always see that kid with the Harry Potter glasses with his pants in his pits getting picked on, because someone bigger would stand up. Cyber bullying's another way for them to shame and bring someone down only this time in the comfort of their home peeking behind a keyboard like a coward - Josh 

Okay so for models, I have an unpopular opinion. I think the whole plus size model thing is just wrong. But at the same time that doesnt mean you go around telling people they are fat. Sometimes with regard to bullying on social media, people are really asking for it. You have an option to get off social media if you're being bullied. No one's forcing you to go on it. - Naflah 

Well, I'm against body shaming because some actually can't help being the way the are due to medical reasons. Being curvy, chubby or skinny doesn't matter as long as someone's happy and healthy. I personally believe all body types are beautiful and as women we need to learn to love ourselves first before even thinking of someone else's opinion. Talking about bullying on social media I think it's better to use that hate as a motivation to be your better self. Improve, work harder and be the best version of yourself. Because once you're fully content with what you achieve, none of the hate, bullying is going to matter because you've proved them wrong. So instead of sitting alone crying or being depressed about it learn to love yourself and keep improving continuously. Do it for yourself, not for the haters. - Rushika 

Body shaming is definitely a no no because no matter what size or shape you are in I think you should just appreciate what you look like and be happy if you feel comfortable in your own skin and not try to fit into the so called world full of Instagram girls. - Shameem 

Body shaming is something that should not be condoned by anyone. We all have our imperfections. Accepting that and embracing that is what this world needs to move forward. - Thanuki 

It should be deemed as a crime. People with low self esteem get affected so much! - Gayathri 

I think with regard to cyber bullying, it's the perpetrators who are going to face trouble in the long run, since once it's on the Internet, it's difficult to hide it. Eventually, when employers and university officials do background checks on these individuals, they're going to be classed as people with a bad demeanor. Sure, the ones who were subject to the bullying will be hurt, but in most cases they tend to recover soon. But, the ongoing "troll" culture on social media isn't making things any better for anti cyberbullying campaigns and the like either. I think it's mostly upto the individual to decide, should he tarnish his reputation for just a couple of laughs? Is it really worth it? - Abdullah 

Everyone has a backstory and their own reasons for why they look a certain way or act a certain way but when you shame and bully someone online on how they look like in appearance while hiding behind a keyboard, it just makes you a classless cowardly human. - Vinesh 

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, yes, but whence it is meant with malice at heart it no longer is an opinion. No one should ever feel ashamed of who they are, what they are or how they look. Most often when it happens online, the instigator is looking for some outlet to feel better about themselves. This gives them an allusion of strength; you don't need to rain on someone's parade to have your own fun. So to everyone who's ever been made to feel like they're not enough;  if someone decides to put you down for any of that, your automatic response would be to feel sad, inadequate and ashamed. But you have to pick yourself up, simply because your existence never depended on the validation of another. Sometimes people pass it off as a joke, and maybe they really meant it as that. But if your feelings are ever hurt, don't stand for it; you're not a toilet seat so you don't need to take crap from anyone else. I'm done with my squats for today and I'm off to cut myself another slice of cake. And just like cake, we're all beautiful no matter the size or shape. - Saritha 

If someone is confident enough with their bodies like that just let them be. How they look or wether they aren't up to some supposed standard doesn't matter if they are confident and comfortable with themselves. Don't ruin it  by being overly critical of someone else. You're only allowed to judge yourself and thereby work on yourself. - Mark