What’s in this guide
What is self-image, body image and identity?
Young people see a lot of content online, but from deepfakes to body editors, not everything is what it seems. However, it can be hard for children to understand what is and isn’t real online. As such, they might try to live up to unrealistic and edited standards, making it hard to maintain a positive body image.
When they try to change a part of themselves to fit into that ideal, they might experience poor self-image. This can have negative impacts on their overall wellbeing. In fact, 1 in 10 girls aged 9-10 say that being online makes them worried about their body shape or size while 13% say it makes them jealous of other people.
Impacts of tuning, editing and filtering
According to the Mental Health Foundation, 37% teens aged 13-19 felt upset and 31% felt ashamed about their body image. Further research from Stem4 found that 3/4 of young people are unhappy with how they look. As such, when they take to social media, they might be more likely to edit their photos to appear in a way that makes them feel more confident.
However, they will still look like themselves offline and that can make it harder to create a positive self-image.
Additionally, the process of taking multiple photos, choosing the ‘perfect’ one, rejecting unflattering ones and editing them is an exercise in poor body image says child psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos. Once the process is complete, we then post the photo for all to see and comment on.
“The worrying thing about this kind of exposure to others’ beliefs is that there is no end to it,” says Dr Linda. “If what others think or believe about you matters, and your visibility is not something that you can control, then maybe you will never be able to firmly say who you are. There will always be another like or comment or share ready to unsettle you.”
Ultimately, a child might start to feel that they can never live up to the selfie they’ve created.
Common editing apps to know about
It’s important to have open conversations with your child on a regular basis about their digital lives. Ask them about the apps they’re using, how they’re using them and how it all makes them feel. Being mindful about their digital space can help them better manage their self-image and wellbeing.
Children who feel negative about their self-image may take to editing apps to create an idealised version of their appearance. Some apps may simply be used to change the colours or brightness of a photo. But apps that can change the shape of a face, make a body more muscular and more require more attention. Below are some widely-used editing apps to look out for.
Face and body edits
These apps allow users to ‘sculpt’ their bodies to look however they want. This means they can narrow faces, thin bodies, add makeup, remove blemishes and more. If your child uses any of these apps (or similar ones), consider asking them about it. How do they use it? Why? Where do they share the edited images?
- Facetune
- Face App
- Peachy
- Body Editor
- AirBrush
Even if your child isn’t sharing these edited images on the profiles you follow, they might be sharing them elsewhere — such as in group chats or on alternate accounts.
General filters
- Snapseed
- VSCO
- In-built features on smartphones and other devices
- In-built features within apps such as Instagram and TikTok
Some filters like TikTok’s ‘chubby’ filter are added to platforms and swiftly removed. If your child comes across something they see as inappropriate, encourage them to report it.
What parents can do to help
Talk to your children
As adults, we understand that the world of social media, just like any other form of media, is stage-managed. However, we often forget to reinforce that message to our own children. Explain that people aren’t perfect and talk to them about what others post. Who’s taking all of these perfect pictures? How many shots do you think they took to get that perfect angle?
Discuss the ‘cult of perfection’
It’s important to talk to children about what they’re posting so they don’t get sucked into the cult of perfection. Real life is what you see all around you, not just what you see through the filtered lens of a smartphone. Discuss why it’s important to disconnect from the ‘constructed’ identities we all feel we need to develop online and underscore the notion of being free to be who you really are.
Keep an eye on who they’re following on sites like Instagram and what they’re posting. Talk to them about the effect their images could have on other people as well as on themselves.
How to empower children to develop positive body image
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