Navigating Body Image and Social Media

Selfies have become a ubiquitous part of teenage culture; a way to express themselves and connect with friends online. However, the constant barrage of filtered and edited photos can have a detrimental effect on a teenager’s body image. The carefully curated online world can distort reality, leading to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. In this talk Abi Edmunds will explore the dark side of selfies and provide strategies to help young people navigate the social media landscape while fostering a healthy body image.

While selfies can be a fun and creative way to capture moments, the social media aspect can introduce negative comparisons. Teenagers are bombarded with images of seemingly perfect bodies and flawless faces, often heavily edited and unrealistic.

Abi’s presentation will give pupils the tools to look beyond the filter to foster a healthier body image and positive relationship with social media. She will cover areas such as:-

• Open Communication: the unrealistic portrayals of beauty on social media. Discuss the use of filters, editing tools, and the impact of carefully crafted online personas.
• Focus on Inner Beauty: Helping young people appreciate their unique qualities and strengths that go beyond physical appearance. Encourage them to develop their talents, interests, and passions.
• Promote Body Positivity: Showing diverse representations of beauty in the media. Celebrating body positivity movements and individuals who promote self-acceptance and healthy lifestyles.
• Limit Social Media Consumption: Encourage breaks from social media and focus on activities that promote self-worth beyond online validation.

By having open conversations and promoting positive self-esteem, teenagers can learn to navigate the social media landscape with a critical eye. They can learn to appreciate their own unique beauty and develop a healthy relationship with their bodies.

Abi Edmunds is dedicated to empowering individuals and organisations to cultivate healthier digital habits. Through her company ‘Social Media Resilience’ she provides a comprehensive service to facilitate digital wellbeing, focusing on the intersection between mental, physical and digital health.