Social media and self-esteem

Social media is a big part of young people's lives and what they see when they're scrolling can impact their self-esteem, confidence and well-being. Help them navigate social media and boost their self-esteem with our free tools and resources.

Our mission is to ensure that the next generation grows up enjoying a positive relationship with the way they look—helping young people raise their self-esteem and realize their full potential.

We’ve partnered with leading experts in the fields of psychology, health, and body image to create a program of evidence-based resources, including parenting advice, to help young people form healthy friendships, overcome body image issues, and be their best selves.

What would you like to learn more about?

Staying safe online: the effects of social media on young people
How does social media affect teenagers, and what can parents do to protect their children from the negative effects of social media?

Keeping up with young people on social media today can be daunting for parents, especially when young people change their social networks and profile pictures as often as their socks. We spoke to experts, parents, and young people themselves to pull together useful advice to help you navigate your child’s online universe, and also bring them back down to Earth.

Explore More Staying safe online: the effects of social media on young people
Positive body confidence: how social media can affect body image
Why do young people love social media? And could their use of it cause body confidence issues? Advice on minimising the negative impacts of social media.

In the dazzling world of social media, today’s youth are often living their lives in full view of an online audience. For those from a different generation, the idea of “checking in” online or sharing a selfie to let people know where you are and what you’re up to might seem bizarre. But for young people today, getting “likes” on photos, posts, or comments in the virtual world can bring a powerful sense of accomplishment and community acceptance.

Explore More Positive body confidence: how social media can affect body image
How does social media affect teens?
Social media issues permeate every aspect of a young person’s life these days, whether it’s revealing TMI (Too Much Info) about their boyfriend or girlfriend on Snapchat, having public spats with their BFF (Best Friend Forever) on Twitter or inadvertently inviting gatecrashers by posting party details on Facebook.

What’s the impact of social media on youth? Find out what teens think about social media use and get tips to help kids use social networks positively.

Explore More How does social media affect teens?
Effects of Social Networking – Dove
Why is social networking so important to young people? Explore the positive and negative effects of social media, and why it can cause loss of self-esteem.

Why is social networking so important to young people? Explore the positive and negative effects of social media, and why it can cause loss of self-esteem.

Explore More Effects of Social Networking – Dove
Confident Me at Home: Self-esteem activities for home learning
Build body confidence and learn at home with our self-esteem activities.

Join us to help young people develop positive body confidence while they learn at home using our confidence-boosting mini lessons and self-esteem activities.

Explore More Confident Me at Home: Self-esteem activities for home learning
Dove, Cartoon Network and Steven Universe
Find out more about our partnership with Steven Universe.

Wondering how to boost childrens’ confidence? We’ve partnered with Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe cartoon to help young people build self-esteem.

Explore More Dove, Cartoon Network and Steven Universe
Social media, filters and The Selfie Talk
With the rise of social media, filters and digital distortion there's never been a better time to have the Selfie Talk.

Explore More Social media, filters and The Selfie Talk
#Sponsored: navigating the world of social media influencers – Dove
Many young people see social media influencers as authentic sources of advice, inspiration and recommendations. Find out how to help them spot sponsored ads.

Explore More #Sponsored: navigating the world of social media influencers – Dove
Curating a positive social media feed – Dove
The accounts we follow on social media can have a big impact on our self-esteem and body confidence. Find out how to curate a positive social media feed here.

Explore More Curating a positive social media feed – Dove