Understanding the Way Media Influences Body Image Resilience for Teens
Being a teenager is no easy task, with the constant pressure to excel academically, fit in socially, and navigate the wild journey to adulthood. In today's digital age, adolescents face an additional challenge — the pervasive influence of social media. With the average American spending an estimated 11.8 hours a day on various media platforms, it’s time to unravel the secrets behind the filters, funny ads, and the so-called ‘easy’ solutions we are bombarded with daily.
Ever wondered how that perfect Instagram picture was crafted? From filters to targeted ads, companies, and social media influencers are like magicians using tricks to contort reality. It's like trying to decipher a secret code! By becoming media-savvy parents, we can decode the hidden messages and be smart consumers of the digital world. Our teens and adolescents are some of the most vulnerable populations that have had to learn how to adapt to a media-focused world.
As adults, your brain is fully developed so you have more clarity on what is and isn't reality, and you have better executive functioning so you can make better decisions to process the information in front of you. Teens and adolescents can struggle with comparison, misinterpreting what’s actually reality, and what they should do with the information they take in.
Here are some things to remember while using social media, and some reminders you can share with your teens too:
What you see online isn’t always the full story. Life online can be a bit tricky, especially on social media where we get to showcase the highlight reel of our lives. It's easy to fall into the comparison trap, and that can take a toll on how we see ourselves and our relationships. Remember, that cropped image isn’t always the whole picture.
Filter what you see. Eliminating sources of negativity can significantly enhance our online experience, fostering a happier environment and preventing feelings of insecurity. You have the power to customize your social media experience to suit your needs, without the need to alter your appearance. You are more than enough, just as you are.
There’s not one platform that’s better than another. Each platform works differently, and it’s important that you understand how they work to help your teen make smart media choices.
Okay, let's get real about our brains. During the crucial adolescent years, the brain undergoes significant development. One major phenomenon during this stage is the emergence of the "imaginary audience," where individuals grapple with differentiating between their thoughts and the perceived thoughts of others. It’s like having an internal paparazzi!
This heightened self-awareness can intensify the impact of media messaging, making it imperative for teens to cultivate a critical mindset.
Some skills to help teens overcome this “imaginary audience” especially when using social media include:
Understanding what the imaginary audience is: The concept of an imaginary audience is an illusion when we believe people are paying way more attention to us than they actually are. It's like having an imaginary spotlight on you all the time! (This is one of the reasons why we get so focused on likes, followers, and other indicators of this audience's existence.)
Strengthen Self-Awareness: Begin recognizing when you're influenced by your imaginary audience. Simply being mindful of it can reduce its influence on you. Acquiring mindfulness skills can aid in directing our attention to the present moment and alleviate the stress associated with always feeling observed.
Reality Check: Reassure yourself that people are primarily concerned with their own lives, not yours. You aren't the center of the universe, and that's totally okay!
In the middle of this adventure into adulthood, let's not forget the most important player: ourselves. Life can be a crazy game, but let's strive for a high score in self-worth and acceptance. Embrace the quirks, celebrate the victories (no matter how small), and learn from the wipeouts.
This means as parents you can help set the example for your teens. When you accept and love yourself and them this can help them see that in reality, it’s healthy to accept and love ourselves. This is a powerful way to not get caught up in the whirlwind of online media. Let's unravel the myths, decode the media “magic”, and embrace the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. This adventure of life is uniquely ours, and by being true to ourselves, we can turn every twist and turn into a moment of growth and empowerment. Here's to you and your teen navigating this experience with flair and authenticity!
