Media Literacy

Advocate for a school environment without negative body image media messages. Try to support and create an environment that shows more realistic images of a variety of healthy body sizes and shapes on posters, displays, bulletin boards in the school common areas and in the classroom. It is also a good idea to avoid discussing celebrities and famous people in an idealistic light.

Tips for teaching media literacy

It is good to teach students that the physical images presented in the media, and on social media, are altered to appear flawless. You can teach students that shapes and sizes are altered, blemishes, freckles, lines and wrinkles are edited out and that images can be completely generated to create the "look of the day".

The media sends the incorrect message that if you try hard enough, spend enough money and sacrifice enough, you can look the way you want which will make you happy.

By educating students on how the media enhances body features with props, makeup, lighting and computer techniques, they will be able to look at the media messages more critically and see that these images are unrealistic and unnatural.