Goals
Brief description of the issue
Children are exposed to many unrealistic images of both men’s and women’s bodies through media. TV shows, music videos, ads, movies, video games, and even social networks can communicate ideas about what their bodies “should” look like. Techniques for manipulating images even make it possible for media images to go beyond what’s possible in reality. These images build on gender stereotypes and amplify them, giving teenagers unrealistic models at a time where they are constructing their identity (MediaSmarts, 2014).
This tip sheet intended for parents of children, tweens and teens has been produced by MediaSmarts, “a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy. Our vision is that children and youth have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens.”
You can find the tip sheet in the document section below or directly on their website.