How to Support Media Literacy Education for Pre-Teen Girls

With the increasing influence of social media on young girls' self-esteem and body image, media literacy education is essential in helping them critically evaluate what they see online—because let’s face it, those filters can turn anyone into a supermodel, even your pet goldfish! By teaching them how to question and analyze media messages, we can empower them to build confidence and develop a healthy relationship with digital content. After all, if they can spot a fake avocado on Instagram, they can certainly spot a fake body standard! So let’s equip them with the skills to dodge the digital nonsense and embrace their real, unfiltered selves—because the only thing that should be edited is their homework!

1. Start Early: Have Open Conversations

As ridiculous as this sounds, as our children enter the pre-teen era, they suddenly adopt a mysterious vow of silence—like they’ve taken a secret oath to communicate only through eye rolls and dramatic sighs. It’s vital we encourage them to talk about what they see online and how it makes them feel.

·       Ask questions like:

·       Do you think this image is real?

·       How do filters change the way people look?

·       What do you think this post is trying to make you feel or do?

·       Make these discussions part of everyday life rather than a one-time lesson.

2. Teach Critical Thinking About Images & Messages

Let’s dive into the world of edited vs. unedited images, where reality takes a backseat and filters drive the car! Buckle up, because we’re about to explore how influencers and celebrities transform into their most “flawless” selves—because who needs a healthy dose of reality when you have Photoshop, right?

Unedited vs. Edited Images

• Unedited Image: A natural photo where the subject looks like they just rolled out of bed—hair a bit wild, and a face that says, “I definitely need coffee before I can function.”

• Edited Image: The same person, now looking like they just stepped off the cover of a magazine, complete with perfect skin, impossibly smooth hair, and an aura that screams, “I woke up like this!” (But we all know that’s a lie.)

  
  

How Influencers and Celebrities Create Their Perfect Look

• Filters: These magical tools can turn you from “I’ve had a long week” to “I’m ready for my close-up!” in one tap. Who knew a little sparkle could hide a multitude of sins?

• Photoshop: A influencers bread and butter! This software can erase blemishes, slim down waistlines, and even take away that embarrassing piece of spinach stuck in your teeth from lunch. It’s like a fairy godmother, but for selfies!

• Strategic Angles: Influencers have mastered the art of angles. They can make a double chin disappear faster than you can say “cheeseburger.” Seriously, it’s like they have a secret angle map that only they can read!

So, next time you scroll through your feed and wonder why you don’t look like your favorite influencer, remember: they’re probably using more filters than a coffee shop! Embrace your real self—after all, there is no one in the world like you.

To support your teen in thinking critically use prompting questions along the lines of...

·       Who created this content, and why?

·       What message is it sending?

·       How does this content make me feel about myself?

3. Encourage Behind the scenes Thinking

Help them realise that social media is like a blooper reel where only the best takes make the cut—it's not the director's cut of reality.

·       Chat about marketing & consumerism—help them see how businesses are like enthusiastic salespeople at a lemonade stand—critical thinking just slid into the group chat ** this skill will be your child’s secret weapon, not just for building a superhero-level self-image but also as they dive into the world of buying stuff!

·       Talk about how social media influencers cash in by promoting beauty ideals and products like it's their full-time gig.

4. Set Boundaries for Healthy Media Use

There's that word again! B-O-U-N-D-A-R-I-E-S

·       Limit exposure to harmful content by using parental controls and encouraging mindful scrolling.

• Encourage breaks from screens and balance online time with offline hobbies, sports, and social activities.

• Model healthy behavior by limiting your own screen time and promoting real-world interactions.

• No judgment at all—I totally support women making their own choices about their bodies. But letting your kids see you as you age naturally and love yourself for who you are (wrinkles, stretch marks, gray hairs, saggy boobs—or in my case, some seriously distorted fake ones—and all) is awesome.

5. Introduce Positive Role Models & Diverse Media

• Expose them to body-positive influencers, athletes, scientists, and creators who emphasise skills, intelligence, and character over appearance.

• Choose TV shows, books, and movies that feature diverse body types and strong female characters.

• Encourage following uplifting, educational, and skill-based content instead of appearance-focused accounts.

6. Teach Digital Well-Being & Emotional Awareness

• Help them identify their emotions after social media use (e.g., Do I feel better or worse after scrolling?).

• Teach them how to curate their own feeds by unfollowing accounts that make them feel insecure.

• Encourage journaling or talking about their feelings when they experience comparison or self-doubt.

  

  
  

7. Be a Supportive & Approachable Adult

• Create a judgment-free zone where they feel comfortable discussing social media pressures. "WE LISTEN WE DONT JUDGE"

• Reinforce the message that their value is not based on likes, followers, or appearance.

• Celebrate their skills, kindness, and achievements to build confidence in who they are beyond their looks. Cannot stress this one enough - ease up on the "you're so beautiful" we get it - ever parent thinks their child is beautiful & all your teaching your child is that their worth is based on how beautiful they look - try something a little deeper.

Empower them

Media literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give pre-teen girls in the digital age. By teaching them to question, analyse, and control their media consumption, we can help them develop a strong sense of self-worth that isn't dictated by social media trends.