Welcome to the Dove Self-Esteem Project
At Dove, we believe no young person should be held back from reaching their full potential. However, low body confidence and anxieties over appearance keep young people from being their best selves, affecting their health, friendships, and even performance at school.
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For more than 15 years, we’ve been helping parents, mentors, teachers, and youth leaders deliver self-esteem education that’s reached more than 60 million young people so far. By 2030, we're aiming to have helped ¼ billion build their positive body image.
Building Body Confidence - A Conversation Guide for Parents
For fun body confidence activities to help boost self-esteem in young people, watch Allison Kimmey’s Confidence Kit video, download our Confidence Kit guide, and start a conversation today.
Download the guideOur Topics
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Our Mission
Helping young people overcome body image issues and fulfill their potential by building positive body confidence and self-esteem -
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Our Dove Self-Esteem Project Articles
(50 articles)
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![Dove Benefits of exercise]()
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
psychology
behavior change
exercise and sport
health and wellbeing
parent
11 to 16 years
Why is it important to practice sports?The benefits of physical activity in children can positively affect every aspect of their life. Find out how to help your child discover exercise in a way that suits them. -
![Dove Proud to be]()
talking topics
body image
body confidence
self-esteem
mentor
youth leader
teacher
parent
10 to 14 yrs
diversity
LGBTQ2S+
Proud to be meHelp young LGBTQ+ people grow up feeling confident about their appearance and proud of who they are. Download Proud To Be Me, today. -
![Dove Is Your Child’s Perception Of Beauty Distorted By Media Influence?]()
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
self comparison
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
health and wellbeing
parent
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 How to stop cyberbullying and protect your child from its effects]()
bullying
positive talk
talking topics
celebrity culture
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
behavior change
parent
11 to 16 years
How to stop cyberbullying and protect your child from its effectsCyberbullying facts, advice on how to prevent cyberbullying, tips for dealing with cyberbullies for parents.New technology has made it easier for bullies to reach their victims. If you think your child is being affected, use our action checklist for advice on how to support and protect your child from cyberbullying.
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![Dove Talking to kids about body confidence]()
positive talk
talking topics
body image
body confidence
looks and appearance
body talk
self-esteem
parent
body functionality
3 to 9 years
Talking to kids about body confidenceOur bodies are brilliant – so let’s celebrate them. Here’s how to talk to kids about body positivity and body functionality.Our bodies are so much more than they look like. Find out how to talk to kids about body positivity and body functionality.
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![Positive body image]()
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
celebrity culture
fashion
body image
looks and appearance
emotions and behavior
parent
11 to 16 years
Help your child develop a positive body imageTips and advice on helping your child develop a positive body image and cope with the influence of teenage fashion trends, celebrity role models and 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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![How to build confidence and self-esteem]()
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
body image
looks and appearance
psychology
behavior change
health and wellbeing
parent
8 to 16 years
How To Build Confidence And Self-EsteemLearn how to build self-esteem and confidence – and help your child learn to love their body in the process—with our practical tips and activities.If you suffer from low confidence and self-esteem, your negativity could transfer to your child. Use our action checklist to cut out self-criticism – and give your child’s body confidence a boost too.
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![Dove Women in music videos]()
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
celebrity culture
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
health and wellbeing
parent
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 sexualizing and objectifying women, as research from institutes including the American Psychological Association and the UK’s Home Office has shown.
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![Dove Celebrity Culture: Sorting Reality From Hyper-Reality]()
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
airbrushing
celebrity culture
body image
looks and appearance
psychology
parent
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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