
07/26/2025
Did you know that social media often shows us “perfect” images that are filtered, edited, and curated? That’s shaping how kids view their own bodies and self‑worth. Experts explain how online comparison can lead to lower self-esteem, anxiety, and a distorted self-image.
Here’s how parents, caregivers, and communities can help:
- Talk openly about what kids see online. Encourage critical thinking around filters, trends, and influencers.
- Promote balance. Swap screen time for real-world activities, face-to-face connection, and hobbies.
- Celebrate authenticity. Follow diverse, unfiltered voices on social media and affirm real, everyday bodies.
Together, we can support a safer, healthier online experience that empowers our youth to feel confident in who they are.
Ever since social media burst on the scene in the early 2000s, parents and health experts have worried about the potential impact on kids, particularly those in their early teens.