Don’t Let Social Media Get You Down Says Model Marciel Hopkins

Statistics released this week by the anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label, claim that 40% percent of young people said they felt bad if nobody liked their selfies and 35% said their confidence was directly linked to the number of followers they had on social media.

These views on the negative effects of social media on young people’s self-esteem are shared by Marciel Hopkins, a body-positive activist, Miss South Africa 2016 finalist and plus-size model for London-based MOT Models ‘Curves’ division.

The motivational speaker and Instagram star, with a following of 51,300, campaigns for positive body image, especially in young women, as this is a cause very close to her heart.

Marciel Hopkins, who is currently spending time on various modelling assignments in Germany and the UK, is also in the process of developing a course for school children to teach body acceptance, holistic health and mental wellness. The course will be launched in South Africa and will be the first programme of its kind led by a professional model. If the course is successful it will be rolled out internationally, starting in London.