5 Media Tricks That Create Unrealistic Beauty Standards for Teens

Navigating the world of beauty and self-image can be particularly challenging for teens, especially with the influence of media. From social media platforms to television and advertising, the portrayal of beauty is often unrealistic and unattainable.

Here are five 5 deceptive techniques media uses to create these distorted beauty standards, why it’s important for parents to be aware of them, and how to engage in meaningful conversations with your teen about these issues.

1. Airbrushing and Photoshop
   Why It’s Misleading: Many images you see in magazines and online are heavily edited to remove blemishes, wrinkles, and imperfections. This digital alteration can create an unattainable standard of beauty that leaves teens feeling inadequate in comparison.
   How to Talk to Your Teen: Initiate a conversation by showing them some before-and-after images from magazines or online influencers. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think about how this image has been edited?” This can help them critically assess what they see and understand that perfection is often manufactured.

2. Filters and Augmented Reality
   Why It’s Misleading: Social media apps often feature filters that can drastically change appearance—smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, and altering facial structures. This can lead teens to believe they must look a certain way to be attractive.
   How to Talk to Your Teen: Discuss the impact of filters on self-perception. Ask questions such as, “Do you think using filters makes us more or less confident?” Encourage them to share their feelings about using filters and emphasize that true beauty comes from being authentic.

3. Selective Representation
   Why It’s Misleading: Media often highlights a narrow definition of beauty, showcasing specific body types, skin colors, and facial features. This lack of diversity can make teens feel alienated if they don’t fit the mold.
   How to Talk to Your Teen: Explore diverse media together, such as movies, books, or social media accounts that represent various body types and cultures. Ask them, “How do these representations make you feel compared to what you usually see?” This encourages them to embrace diversity and recognize beauty in all forms.

4. Celebrity Endorsements
   Why It’s Misleading: Celebrities often promote beauty products while adhering to strict beauty standards themselves, which can create the illusion that success and happiness are linked to physical appearance.
   How to Talk to Your Teen: Discuss the pressures celebrities face and how they often use products to achieve their looks. Ask, “Do you think celebrities are always happy because they look a certain way?” This can open a dialogue about the difference between appearance and happiness and the importance of valuing oneself beyond looks.

5. Unrealistic Comparisons
   Why It’s Misleading: Social media platforms are designed for sharing highlight reels, leading teens to compare themselves to others based on curated content that may not reflect everyday reality.
   How to Talk to Your Teen: Encourage them to reflect on their social media usage. Ask questions like, “How do you feel after scrolling through your feed?” Help them recognize that many posts are not representative of real life and discuss the importance of curating their online experiences to promote positivity.

The Bottom Line

By educating your teen about these tactics and fostering open conversations about self-image, you can empower them to develop a healthier relationship with their own beauty and confidence.