How social media and technology may be harming your teens self-esteem, body image

and daily thinking.

There is no single cause of body dissatisfaction or disordered eating. Yet, research is increasingly

clear that media does indeed contribute, and exposure to and pressure by the media increases

body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.

The Media’s Effect on Body Image

The “Thin Ideal”The “Thin Ideal”

Kids Today…Kids Today…• 78% of teens have cell phones, almost half own

smartphones • 1 in 4 are “cell-mostly” internet users • 23% of teens have a tablet• 81% use social networking sites• 8-18 year olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38

minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day

• 100% of EHS students have a laptop and access to the internet

What messages Do they What messages Do they Receive? Receive?

Media MessagesMedia Messages

Photoshop DisastersPhotoshop Disasters

Dangers of Social MediaDangers of Social MediaWhat we know about teens:•They are constantly trying to define themselves.•They crave positive feedback to help them see how their identity fits into their world.•They use social media for this feedback... but they are looking in a dangerous place.

How is this harmful:•The danger exists in the possibility of a very public rejection because negative feedback is there for anyone and everyone to see. •Another danger is that teens ask for feedback without first learning that not everyone will respond in a supportive way. Imagine how this could further influence body image.

The ProgressionThe Progression

Facts and StatsFacts and Stats• 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of

12 and 25.• Between 5 and 10 million women in the U.S. currently suffer

from eating disorders. • Gear magazine reports that 1 in 6 cases of eating disorders

diagnosed are in men. • Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies

and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. • Only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often

portrayed by Americans in the media.

Men and Body Image Men and Body Image • The rate of eating disorders among college men ranges from

4-10%. • The prevalence of binge eating is the same among men and

women.• Male body image concerns have dramatically increased over

the past three decades from 15% to 43% of men being dissatisfied with their bodies.

• Men are often more concerned with a combination of issues related to weight, body shape and strength.

• Men are less likely to seek help.

(NEDA, 2012)

Eating Disorders Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa• Bulimia Nervosa• Binge Eating

Disorder/Compulsive overeating

What are signs your teen might need help?

(Mazzeo & Bulik, 2009)

What’s the difference? What’s the difference? Body Image:

– The way someone perceives their body and assumes others perceive them.

– This image is often affected by family, friends, social pressure and the media.

(dosomething.org)

Self Image:– The idea, conception,

or mental image one has of oneself.

– A number of self-impressions that have built up over time, they can be positive or negative

(www.mtstcil.org)

How can we empower our How can we empower our teens?teens?

“Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives. It is a process that fosters

power in people, for use in their own lives, their communities, and in their society”

(Page & Czuba, 1999)

Avoid the “Trigger Phrases”Avoid the “Trigger Phrases”• “Oh, your going to eat that?”• “I look/feel fat.”• “I shouldn’t eat this/that…”• “I won’t be able to eat tomorrow after eating

that…”• “You should start working out…”• “You look so great now that you have lost

weight!”

Remember….Remember….

• Eating Disorders are highly genetic, and passed on from generation to generation…

• Your self- talk at home is HEARD and ENGRAINED in your child’s head.

• Focus on a positive relationship with food and exercise and MODEL that one, not the unhealthy one.

Challenge: Fat Talk Free ®WeekChallenge: Fat Talk Free ®WeekFat Talk Free® Week is an international, 5-day body activism

campaign to draw attention to body image issues and the damaging impact of the 'thin ideal' on women and men in society.

The Purpose:•Educate others about the damaging impact of pursuing the thin ideal and the use of fat talk on women of all ages •Inspire change in the way we think and feel about our bodies •Promote a healthy lifestyle and one that urges individuals to live a balanced life in mind, body & spirit.

Thin Ideal vs. Healthy IdealThin Ideal vs. Healthy IdealThin Ideal•Implies that a certain look results in success, happiness, or confidence•It negates so many qualities that truly define who we areHealthy Ideal•This ideal comes in all shapes and sizes and looks different for everyone.•It is a way of life achieved in mind, body and spirit. •It places emphasis on relationships, nutrition, exercise and self esteem to positively impact our body image and our confidence•The Healthy Ideal doesn‘t include fat talk

ScriptureScriptureThus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then

the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is* from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.Just as

we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will* also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15

When you change the conversation with yourself, you will change the

conversation with others.

Questions? Questions?

ResourcesResources

• https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/media-body-image-and-eating-disorders

• http://bi3d.tridelta.org/ourinitiatives/fattalkfreeweek

• http://www.abundancetapestry.com/self-love-series-101-loving-yourself-quotes/

• www.dosomething.org

• www.mtstcil.org

• https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-males-and-eating-disorders

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719561/

• http://eatingdisorderscoalition.org/documents/TalkingpointsEatingDisordersFactSheetUpdated5-20-09.pdf

• http://www.joe.org/joe/1999october/comm1.php