Date

Children and teens are growing up in a digital environment where images, filters, and online interactions shape how they see themselves.

Research shows that social media use is closely linked to body dissatisfaction, restricted eating, and low self-esteem, especially during adolescence. Children and Screens’ Research-at-a-Glance on “Digital Media and Youth Body Image” distills the latest findings into clear takeaways for parents, educators, and policymakers.

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Did You Know?

    • Harmful portrayals of body image online can affect children’s self-perception, emotions, and behavior. 
    • Social media use can be linked to both positive and negative outcomes – content and context determine the difference.
    • Taking selfies and using filters can affect body satisfaction, from pre-adolescence to emerging adulthood. 
    • Different types of media use during either pre-adolescence or adolescence can lead to similar harmful impacts. 
    • There are proven interventions – from classroom media literacy to positive content strategies – that support body appreciation from early childhood through adolescence.

What You’ll Learn:

    • Age-specific impacts: How pre-adolescents and adolescents differ.
    • Selfies, filters, and avatars: What increases risk and what to watch out for.
    • Content matters: Fitspiration vs. body positive media and why disclaimers often fall short.
    • Interventions and protections: Evidence-backed practices that build resilience.

How You Can Use This:

    • Guide family or classroom conversations about filters, comparisons, and online images.
    • Equip pediatric primary care and mental health visits with evidence-based talking points.
    • Inform parent workshops, school curricula, and professional trainings (i.e., teachers, clinicians, etc.).

What’s Inside the PDF:

    • A concise, visual summary of current research
    • Key takeaways at a glance
    • Actionable interventions and protective strategies

Download the PDF

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