Is social media killing naturism?

[bedouin]

All of us who visit naturist beaches can't help noticing that the average age of naturists is increasing.  The young naturists are few and far between.  Is this the result of the explosion of social media in the last few years, with associated photos (often PhotoShopped) of beautiful bodies?  

There's a theory that young people have become so obsessed by social media that they're unwilling to strip off on the beach, as they think their bodies are less than attractive.  How stupid is this?  In most cases, they are in far better shape than the old wrinklies (and I include myself in that category!).

My wife & I usually go to Vera Playa in summer, and the beach is very family-friendly so we see lots of Spanish families there (sometimes 3 generations).  The younger children are happy to be naked, but many of the older children stay dressed and look at their smartphones.  It's worrying.

What do you think?

[Spitfire58]

I think you are probably right bedouin. Maybe not directly social media as such but certainly due to the increase in celebrity status & wannabe look alike & all that goes with it. Sad to say that it is even more of a problem when they are all stuck on their phones 24/7 & that is all they seem interested in.
Not that I have ever tried the naturist thing. I personally would not be comfortable out in public, although I do wander around naked at home a lot of the time when we are out there (much to my wife’s disdain, lol)

[bedouin]

I personally would not be comfortable out in public, although I do wander around naked at home a lot of the time when we are out there (much to my wife’s disdain, lol)

If you're on a naturist beach, you're with like-minded people who aren't at all judgemental.  In 30 seconds you'd be comfortable!

[bedouin]

 Cover your face. Not many people will recognise you without seeing your face too.

[windermeregolfer]

Yes even in our own back garden or on our roof terrace drones are becoming a nuisance, only this evening kids in a rental villa 4 down from us had a drone up over our villa 

[bedouin]

....only this evening kids in a rental villa 4 down from us had a drone up over our villa 

What were you doing????

[Spitfire58]

....only this evening kids in a rental villa 4 down from us had a drone up over our villa 

What were you doing????

Maybe you shouldn’t ask 

[windermeregolfer]

....only this evening kids in a rental villa 4 down from us had a drone up over our villa 

What were you doing????

  On my second glass of wine but 30 minutes earlier they may have caught me having my early evening naked swim  

[Spitfire58]

I wouldn't worry about the drones, the "kids" will probably edit you out anyway. If you want to worry about somebody watching you naked in your own garden just think about the googlemaps for a second. I know, I know the image quality isn't that great. BUT, they use the same quality as it used to be 10 years ago. In 10 year time the technology went a huge step up.
Google is just a tiny company but what about other subjects, like country/countries. How many pics of yourself could be taken daily without you knowing? 

But if you don’t know about it, should you care 

[the_jg]

To return to the original question in the topic heading:
In my opinion it is the relentless media obsession with the "perfect body" whatever that is - for example the plague of adverts which arrive each spring asking if your body is beach ready. 
With such pressure being applied by some of the best professional persuaders available it isn't surprising that so few younger people who have been subjected to it for the whole of their lives are reluctant to strip off in public.