How does celebrity culture and media influence body image?
How does celebrity culture influence your child? What is the media's impact on their self-image? Use our articles and activities to give your child the skills they need to resist appearance ideals.
In today’s ceaselessly body-conscious media, stories about women and girls often present a narrow view of beauty. Unless we widen that definition to include attributes beyond looks, our children will miss out on a diverse range of inspiring, intelligent role models.
Our articles and activities will help you and your child replace the influence of celebrity culture and celebrities in advertisements with more empowering messages, protecting their body confidence as they grow.
Start reading and sharing with your child today – you have nothing to lose but the appearance ideals.
What would you like to learn more about?
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![Positive body image]()
media image
self confidence
emotions and behaviour
communication
11 to 16 years
Help your child develop a positive body imageTips and advice on helping your child develop a positive body image & cope with the influence of teenage fashion trends, celebrity role models & the media.Why is it that ‘the latest look’ is often nothing like people actually are in the real world? What look did you hanker after growing up? Trends may move on, but young people’s aspiration – and anxiety – is timeless.
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![Mum and daughter with iPad]()
media image
self confidence
communication
8 to 14 years
Women in the media: give the stereotypes a makeoverExplore the portrayal of women in media with your daughter, and together give the stereotypes a makeover to help her become more media-savvy and body confidentWorried that all your daughter ever sees in magazines and on screen are unrealistic images of ‘perfect’ women? Our fun activity plan will let you both give the stereotypes a makeover.
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media image
self confidence
emotions and behaviour
communication
11 to 16 years
Celebrity culture: sorting reality from hyper-realityIs your child obsessed with celebrities or reality shows? Use our action checklist to counter celebrity influence and help them develop a healthy self-image.Young people today are surrounded by a celebrity culture that's hard to compete with and could have a negative impact on their self-image. Celebrity influence is everywhere, from style magazines to Twitter, Snapchat, the world of 'reality' TV and airbrushed images. How is your child coping?
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![Positive body image]()
bullying
media image
self confidence
communication
8 to 16 years
Help your child defy body trends and beat the body-shamersFrom the 'thigh gap' to the 'ab crack', there's always a new ideal body shape to aspire to. Help your child defy body trends and boost their self-esteem.Whether it's 'size 000', the 'thigh gap' or the 'ab crack', it seems that every few months brings a disturbing new thinness trend. How can you prevent your child being drawn into social media's latest body obsessions and encourage them to put their health and wellbeing above body perfectionism?
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development
media image
self confidence
emotions and behaviour
communication
11 to 16 years
Show your child the benefits of exerciseAs well as boosting teen fitness, exercise is great for teen mental health, self-confidence and body image. Use our advice and tips to get your child movingThe benefits of exercise go far beyond the physical. Discover the scientific facts about the positive link between exercise and body image, and give your child the exercise bug, with our action checklist.
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development
media image
self confidence
communication
11 to 16 years
Women in music videos: press pause on female stereotypesHelp your child challenge the 'perfect' body shape and stereotypes of women they see in music videos – and boost their body confidence in the process.Music videos are increasingly sexualising and objectifying women, as research from institutes including the American Psychological Association and the UK’s Home Office has shown. So we’ve put together an action checklist to help you start a conversation with your child about how women are portrayed in music videos.
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media image
self confidence
communication
8 to 16 years
Chantelle Brown-Young and positive self image: teaching girls about individual beautyFrustrated by the portrayal of women in the media? Find new role models for teens, and help your daughter celebrate diversity and recognise her inner beauty.By speaking up about vitiligo, a condition that affects the pigment of the skin, ex-America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) contestant Chantelle Brown-Young is confidently expressing her individuality. Use her experience to start talking to your child about celebrating different types of beauty and developing their own positive body image.
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development
media image
self confidence
emotions and behaviour
communication
8 to 16 years
Is your child's perception of beauty distorted by media influence?Explore how retouched images of models and celebrities alter perceptions of beauty, and how the media influences your self-esteem, with our tips and activities.Images of people in the media are manipulated so dramatically these days, that it can feel like 'beauty' is less and less attainable. Help your child resist media influence and see the real picture.
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![Dove #SelfEsteemAtHome]()
development
media image
self confidence
emotions and behaviour
expert partners
8 to 16 years
#SelfEsteemAtHome: Body confidence classes for kidsThe Dove Self-Esteem Project has teamed up with body positive activist Megan Crabbe @bodyposipanda to provide positivity for young people through classes while they’re staying safe at home.The Dove Self-Esteem Project has teamed up with body positive activist Megan Crabbe @bodyposipanda to provide positivity for young people through classes while they’re staying safe at home.
