When it comes to raising young people in this day and age, you have to be aware of certain problems that they may face such as cyberbullying, ID theft, and online predators. While such issues deserve your attention, so too does the problem of body image issues.
The 24-hour-a-day news media, tinsel town movie stars, and social-media-addicted socialites have all converged to tell our children what the perfect body type is, and this can lead to problems for young people whose bodies don’t conform with what the majority deem to be desirable.
Body Image issues are part of a bigger epidemic than it was years ago in young children and teenagers, as kids nowadays are part of a digital era in which social media is a big influence in their lives. It’s a huge issue for kids and teenagers starting as young as ten years old. Specifically defined as how someone perceives his or her body and assumes others perceive them, body image is directly linked to self-esteem. Having a poor body image can lead to a multitude of worrisome issues, such as eating disorders, substance abuse, early sexual activity, and suicidal thoughts.
Let’s discuss the details. More than 80% of females over age ten think they are fat, and a quarter of males are dissatisfied with their bodies. Both exhibit unrealistic body images from a young age, but girls’ self-images seem to worsen between the ages of 13 and 18, while boys’ tend to improve. Further, more than 90% of adult women are unhappy with their bodies while only 5% naturally have what is considered the “ideal” female form.
Having constant access to social media and online resources only seems to worsen the problem. Teens feel pressured to edit and filter their pictures to always look their best on social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram, and then constantly monitor their accounts for comments and “likes.” They then glean their self-esteem from that feedback. At the same time, they are constantly comparing themselves to images they view of others, possibly leading to unhealthy feelings of envy, resentment, loneliness, and/or depression. However, many teens will try to hide their body image issues and rarely confide in their parents about them.
So how can parents watch for warning signs of harmful body issues? They can start with phone monitoring and get to know their children better and understand what can be causing emotional pain to them at such a young age. Parents can check on their teen’s social media accounts and online use, including SmartPhone usage. Look for posts, comments, pictures, or common hashtags for eating disorders, self-harm, or explicit sexual innuendos. Check what sites they have been visiting, paying close attention to those that address unhealthy behaviors, unusual support groups, exposure to inappropriate content, and contact from strangers. Couple this with talking to teens regularly about making good choices, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and limiting their online time. Kids love having the world at the touch of their fingertips, but be sure to give them that access with guidance, guidelines, and expectations for appropriate use.
