The Dove Self-Esteem Project Finds 1 In 2 Girls Say Idealized Beauty Advice On Social Media Causes Low Self-Esteem

Apr. 27, 2022

Teens in the US are spending increasing amounts of time on social media. New Dove Self-Esteem Project research proves this to be true. 2 in 3 girls in the US are spending more than an hour each day on social media, which is more than they are spending in person with friends. Beauty advice fills their feeds, but unfortunately, it is not all positive. In fact, 1 in 2 girls says idealized beauty content on social media causes low self-esteem. 

The Dove Self-Esteem Project research concluded that the majority of girls realize that less time on social media and taking control of what they scroll, for is part of the solution. In fact, 7 in 10 girls felt better after unfollowing idealized beauty content on social media.  

For years, Dove has championed wider definitions of beauty and has taken action towards making social media a more positive place with campaigns like #SpeakBeautiful, #NoDigitalDistortion, and Reverse Selfie/Selfie Talk.

Today, the Dove Self-Esteem Project is launching the #DetoxYourFeed campaign to empower teens to define their own beauty standards and choose their own influences by inviting them to unfollow anything that doesn't make them feel good about themselves. Through a series of films, educational content, and partnerships with inspiring voices, the campaign encourages necessary conversations between parents, caregivers, and teens about the dangers of toxic beauty advice.

In a long-form campaign film, Toxic Influence, moms and their teens engage in a dialogue around harmful beauty advice on social media. The film highlights dangerous topics like "fitspo", "thinspo" and the promotion of elective cosmetic procedures to young girls. Moms who participated were surprised to learn that this type of harmful beauty advice has become normalized for their daughters. They were inspired to have important conversations around what their daughters are seeing in their feeds.

Leandro Barreto, Global Vice President of Dove said:

"We've identified a clear problem that is eroding the self-esteem of our girls and needs immediate attention and action. We created this #DetoxYourFeed campaign to not only raise awareness around the insidious nature of toxic beauty advice but to also help parents navigate tough conversations and empower teens to unfollow content that makes them feel bad about themselves. While it may be a bit overwhelming at times, we hope it will contribute to important conversations that lead to a more positive experience for teens on social media."

 

80% of girls would like their parents to talk to them about how to manage idealized beauty posts, so the Dove Self-Esteem Project has developed academically-validated resources and tools to help parents navigate important conversations with their kids and empower teens to #DetoxYourFeed:

• "Detox Your Feed: The Parents Guide" – a three-minute educational film for parents, caregivers, and mentors on facilitating conversations with young people about the harms of social media.
• "The Confidence Kit" – free Dove Self-Esteem Project workbook and tool featuring a new section, "Detox Your Feed: Talking to Your Kids About Toxic Social Media Advice."

Additional resources to change the way parents and teens think and talk about beauty will also be made available. The Dove Real Talk Parent workshop – a free, virtual, live-stream event and Q&A session being held on May 12^th with cultural expert Jess Weiner and leading psychotherapist Nadia Addesi – will provide parents with the tools to fight toxic influence on teens’ social media feeds.

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist, Nadia Addesi, who has used her expertise to foster digital self-esteem for her community on TikTok, said:

"This campaign is important as public discourse grows around the harmful effects social media can have on girls. It contextualizes the insidious nature of harmful beauty advice that’s become normalized in teens’ feeds. While it might feel harmless, given half of girls say social media causes low self-esteem, ongoing exposure has the potential to have a negative and lasting impact."

 

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is the world’s largest provider of body confidence education globally, reaching more than 82 million young people across 150 countries to date through initiatives like the #DetoxYourFeed campaign. In the US alone, Dove reaches more than 6 million kids per year, through partnerships with The Boys & Girls Club and America and education consultancy, Cairn Guidance. By 2030, Dove will have helped 250 million kids and teens boost their self-esteem through educational programming and no-cost resources.

To help spread the #DetoxYourFeed message, Dove is partnering with Gabrielle Union and Zaya Wade to remind everyone that the power to curate your feed and overall experience with social media is in your hands.

Gabrielle Union said:

"As a parent and someone who’s felt the pressures from social media to look perfect, it’s important to me that people realize what’s on their teens’ feeds and help them confidently navigate conversations about it."

 

Zaya Wade added:

“I want people to know they can prioritize themselves and set boundaries on social media, and that it can be a positive place if you unfollow content that doesn’t make you feel good.”

 

Dove believes no one should follow anyone into thinking they aren’t beautiful and empowering teens to #DetoxYourFeed will help build the body confidence and self-esteem of a quarter billion girls by 2030. Go to Dove.com/Detoxify to watch Dove’s NEW Toxic Influence film and learn how to #DetoxYourFeed. Together, we can change beauty.