Media & Body Image – Be Critical of What You See

Media & Body Image – Be Critical of What You See

Learn how media can influence your body image and how to develop a healthy relationship with yourself. Discover tips to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and build body positivity.

What is Media?

Media is like a big storyteller. It tells us stories through TV shows, movies, magazines, social media, and even billboards. These stories can be about anything – from superheroes to cooking shows. But one kind of story that media often tells is about how people should look.

Why Does Media Matter?

The stories media tells can influence how we think and feel about ourselves. When we see images of people who look a certain way over and over again, it can make us think that’s the only way to look. This can be harmful because everyone is different, and there’s no one right way to look.

How Media Affects Body Image

Body image is how you think and feel about your body. It’s like a picture you have in your mind of yourself. Media can change that picture by showing us unrealistic body types. When we see these images, we might start comparing ourselves to them, which can make us feel bad about our own bodies.

Unrealistic Beauty Standards: Media often portrays a very narrow range of beauty standards. These standards are often based on idealized versions of beauty that are difficult or even impossible to achieve for most people. For example, images in magazines and advertisements might show models with flawless skin, perfect hair, and very thin bodies. These images don’t represent the reality of what most people look like. In fact, many of these images are heavily edited using Photoshop and other software to make the models look closer to these unrealistic beauty standards.

This constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards can make people feel like they need to change their bodies in order to be attractive or worthy. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as dieting, excessive exercise, and even plastic surgery. It can also lead to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

The Focus on Perfection: Media also often portrays people as looking perfect all the time. This can create the impression that there’s something wrong with us if we have flaws or imperfections. But it’s important to remember that everyone has flaws and imperfections. These are what make us unique! Social media can be particularly harmful in this regard, as people tend to only post their most flattering photos and highlight the best parts of their lives. This can create an unrealistic portrayal of what people’s lives are really like and make us feel like we don’t measure up.

Diversity Matters: It’s important to see images of people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, abilities, and ages in the media. This can help us to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and develop a more positive body image. When we see people who look like us in the media, it sends the message that we are beautiful and worthy just the way we are.

There is a growing movement towards more body diversity in the media. Many brands are now featuring models of all sizes and ethnicities in their advertising campaigns. This is a positive step towards creating a more realistic and inclusive media landscape.

Be a Critical Thinker

To protect yourself from the negative effects of media, it’s important to be a critical thinker. This means questioning what you see and hear.

• Question What You See: Don’t just accept everything you see in media at face value. Ask yourself critical questions, like “Who created this image?” and “What is the purpose of this image?” Is it trying to sell you something? Promote a certain lifestyle? Consider the source and the message behind the image.
• Focus on Your Own Body: Your body is strong, capable, and unique. It allows you to do all the things you love, from running and jumping to playing sports and dancing. Instead of comparing yourself to others, celebrate what your body can do. Think about all the things you appreciate about your body, from your strength and flexibility to your unique features.
• Talk About It: Talking about how you feel about the images you see in media can be really helpful. If you see something that makes you feel bad about yourself, talk to a friend, family member, counselor, or other trusted adult. They can help you challenge negative thoughts and develop a more positive body image.
• Limit Screen Time: It’s easy to get sucked into the world of social media and spend hours scrolling through feeds. But too much screen time can be harmful to your mental and physical health, and it can negatively impact your body image. Set limits on how much time you spend on social media each day and find other activities you enjoy that don’t involve screens.
• Find Positive Role Models: Look for people in the media who promote body positivity and self-love. These could be actors, musicians, athletes, artists, or even social media influencers. Follow people who celebrate all body types and promote healthy lifestyles. Seeing positive representations of people who look like you can help you feel more confident about yourself.

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Remember, everyone is different, and that’s what makes us special. Focus on your strengths, talents, and personality. Your worth as a person has nothing to do with your appearance.