That kids have been comparing themselves to popular images in traditional media, and coming up short, is a well-researched phenomenon. But new studies are just beginning to determine the effects of social media – which is arguably more immediate and intimate than other media – on the way kids view themselves. A Common Sense survey called Children, Teens, Media, and Body Image found that many teens who are active online fret about how they're perceived, and that girls are particularly vulnerable:
- 35 percent are worried about people tagging them in unattractive photos
- 27 percent feel stressed about how they look in posted photos
- 22 percent felt bad about themselves if their photos were ignored
How kids get feedback
You probably know about popular apps such as Instagram and Snapchat. But the specific ways kids use these tools to get and give feedback can be troubling. Here are a few examples:
The number of followers, likes, and emojis kids can collect gets competitive, with users often begging for them. Instagram "beauty pageants" and other photo-comparison activities crop up, with losers earning a big red X on their pics.
Numerical scores display the total number of sent and received chats. You can view your friends' scores to keep tabs on who's racking up the most views.
This quintessential rating app lets you judge the attractiveness of others based on a series of photos, tapping either a heart sign or an X to to rank them. Users log in to see what others think of them.
When Instagram users type #tbh, they're indicating either that they want others to honestly appraise their selfies, or they're expressing their true feelings about someone else's looks. Examples: "#tbh am I pretty?" or "#tbh I think you're really pretty." Although #tbh is usually positive, it can get negative in specific and hurtful ways. Even when it stays positive, it reinforces the idea that appearance is what matters most.
Kids – again, mostly girls – post videos of themselves asking if other users think they're pretty or ugly. These videos are typically public, allowing anyone to post a comment, from kids at school to random strangers.
The good news
Although approval-seeking and self-doubt continue to plague young people both privately and publicly, signs of fatigue are beginning to show. The
#Nofilter trend is prompting girls to share their true selves and accept (and even challenge) whatever feedback they receive. Under hashtags such as "uglyselfie" and "nomakeup," girls post pics of their unadorned selves, funny faces, unretouched images, and "epic fails" (attempts at perfect selfies that went wrong). Given that adolescents are naturally eager for peer validation, and precisely when they begin to use social tools that provide it, it's encouraging to see kids having fun with the notion of perfection. As a matter of fact, one of the Common Sense study's most welcome findings is that social media has the potential to combat unrealistic appearance ideals and stereotypes. After all, kids use social media to be, well, social, and constant rejection and pressure are no fun at all. It makes you realize just how powerful social media tools can be. While they foster relationships, engagement, and can even bolster self-esteem, they can be both constructive and destructive. That's why we can't leave it all up to kids to find their way. Whether your kids are just getting into social media or are seasoned posters, it's critical to guide them on how to use Snapchat, Instagram, and other networking apps for fun and connection and not as fuel for self-doubt.
What you can do
Talk about the pictures they post
Experimenting with identity is natural, and it's very common for kids to adopt provocative stances in cell phone pictures, on their social network pages, and in YouTube videos. But are they doing it only because they think others expect it of them? What pose would they strike if they could do anything they wanted?
Ask how feedback makes them feel
Are they stressed out by others' comments and feedback? Does it make them feel better to be "liked?" Why is external approval important? How do negative comments impact their view of themselves?
Help them develop a healthy self-image
Body image develops early in childhood, and the family environment powerfully influences how kids view themselves. Emphasize what the body can do instead of what it looks like. Also, be careful of criticizing your own looks and weight, in front of your children or in general. Kids pick up and model how you feel about and carry yourself.
Rely on role models
Positive role models have an enormous effect on kids. Cultivate relationships with adults that your daughter or son can look up to. Point out celebrities and other famous people who challenge stereotypes about size and beauty and seem comfortable in their own skins.
Help them stop the cycle
Urge your children to post constructive comments that support their friends for who they are, not what they look like.
Help them view media critically
Talk about over-sexualized images or unrealistic body ideals of both girls and boys in the media. Explore websites, such as the
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media and the
Representation Project, that promote the importance of positive body image and valuing individuals for their contributions to society.
Written by Caroline Knorr for Common Sense Media.
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