Hi there! I’m Jules, and I’m 17 years old. Welcome to my blog, where I love to talk about body image and self-esteem. I have some awesome friends who help me out with this. One thing I’ve noticed is that passive-aggressive comments on social media can really bring you down. It’s super important to keep a positive and balanced view of yourself.
My friend Nella and I go way back. We used to be best friends when we were kids. Nowadays, when we look at the world through our phones and computers, we’re not seeing everything. We’re only seeing what people want us to see.
Social media often gets a bad reputation. People say it’s harmful to your self-esteem, but it doesn’t have to be that way. It all depends on how you use it.
Think about why you’re using social media. Are you trying to connect with people in a real way, or are you just trying to show off a version of yourself that’s not true? Are you more focused on getting likes than being authentic?
When we post things just to get likes or followers, we might end up showing only one side of ourselves. This can make us feel pressured to only share perfect and positive content.
It’s also important to think about how you react to what you see online. Are you comparing yourself to others? Do you sometimes forget that you’re already good enough?
Remember, what we see online is often edited and not a true reflection of reality. Behind every perfect selfie, there are probably many others that didn’t make the cut because they weren’t “good enough.”
If you use social media in a positive way, it can actually boost your self-esteem. Through my blog, I’ve made strong connections and found a community that helps me understand myself better. I’ve met many young people who have faced bullying or tough times offline, and they’ve found comfort in online communities.
Platforms like Tumblr can help people find groups they never knew existed, which is great for building confidence and making social connections.
There’s a lot of misinformation about body image on social media. When we see photos of people who look perfect, it can make us feel like we need to look that way too. But remember, many of these photos are edited and don’t show the real picture.
The way we interact on social media isn’t too different from high school. There are different friend groups, popularity contests, and social hierarchies. We often think that having a lot of followers means someone is successful and happy, but that’s not always true.
Even though we might not know all our followers in real life, what we post online still matters. When we genuinely support a friend online, it makes a difference.
When we connect with people who make us feel good, we’re building meaningful relationships online, and that’s important.
Track your social media usage for a week. Write down how you feel before and after using social media each day. Reflect on whether your mood changes based on what you see or post. This will help you become more aware of how social media affects your self-esteem.
In groups, act out different social media scenarios. For example, one scenario could involve receiving a negative comment, while another could involve a positive interaction. Discuss how each scenario might impact self-esteem and brainstorm ways to handle negative situations positively.
Bring in a photo that you think represents an ideal image from social media. Discuss as a class how these images might be edited or staged. Then, take a candid photo of yourself or your group and share what makes it special without any edits. This activity will help you appreciate authenticity over perfection.
Challenge yourself to post something positive on social media every day for a week. It could be a compliment to a friend, a personal achievement, or something you’re grateful for. Notice how focusing on positivity affects your self-esteem and the reactions you receive.
Form a circle and discuss how social media can be used to build meaningful connections. Share personal stories of positive online interactions and how they made you feel. This will help you see the potential for social media to enhance self-esteem when used wisely.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music]
My name’s Jules, I’m 17, and this is my blog. Right now, I’m into writing about body image and self-esteem. I’m lucky enough to have a couple of regular contributors. Passive-aggressive comments on social media really suck. I think it is really important to work on maintaining a positive, healthy, and balanced sense of yourself.
Nella and I were best friends when we were little. The reality is that when we access the world through our devices, we’re not seeing a realistic view of the world; we’re seeing the parts that people choose for us to see.
[Music]
Social media gets a really bad rap sometimes. There’s this idea that it’s bad for you and bad for your self-esteem, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The key is how you use it.
Are you using social media to connect with people in a genuine way, or are you trying to put out an image of yourself that’s not quite real? Are you using social media to attract likes rather than share yourself authentically?
The problem is that when you’re putting out content that is going to be liked or followed, we can be really motivated to present a one-dimensional view of ourselves. It creates pressure to only share content that’s polished and positive.
You also need to ask yourself how you’re reacting to social media. Are you comparing yourself to others? Are you forgetting that you are good enough?
I think it’s really important that when we’re looking at online content, we understand that it is constructed and not a perfectly accurate mirror of reality. Behind every selfie, there are probably several others that have been discarded because they were from the wrong angle or posed someone unfavorably.
[Music]
It’s important to remember that if you use social media positively, it can really help self-esteem. I’ve made strong connections through this blog; it’s helped me find a community and understand myself. I’ve met lots of young people who are being bullied or having a difficult time offline, and they’ve found the online world to be a refuge. Platforms like Tumblr allow people to find communities they never knew existed in the real world, which can be an amazing asset for those struggling to build confidence and social connections.
When it comes to social media, there’s a lot of misinformation about body image. When we look at photos online that portray people as all being skinny or airbrushed, it sets up an unrealistic view of our bodies. You can feel pressure to look perfect all the time, not realizing that the photos we see have often been edited.
The mechanisms of social media that set up our interactions aren’t that different from those in high school. There are different friendship circles, a currency of popularity, and a social hierarchy. We all know there tends to be a social ladder at school.
I find it strange that we tend to equate the number of followers someone has on social media with real-life success and happiness. It’s odd to have many followers that you don’t know offline.
However, the things we post online do count, and they are real. When we choose to genuinely affirm a friend by reaching out to them online, that matters.
[Music]
When we connect with people and follow those who make us feel good, we are connecting with them in a meaningful way online, and that really does matter.
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains the essence of the original content.
Self-esteem – The confidence and satisfaction in oneself and one’s abilities. – Having high self-esteem can help students face challenges with a positive attitude.
Social media – Online platforms where people can create, share, and interact with content and each other. – Many teenagers use social media to stay connected with friends and family.
Body image – The perception and feelings one has about their physical appearance. – Positive body image can contribute to better mental health and self-esteem.
Authenticity – The quality of being genuine and true to one’s own personality and values. – Being authentic in friendships can lead to more meaningful and lasting relationships.
Comparison – The act of evaluating oneself against others, which can affect self-perception and emotions. – Constant comparison to others on social media can negatively impact self-esteem.
Confidence – The belief in one’s abilities and judgment. – Developing confidence can help students perform better in school and social situations.
Community – A group of people with common interests or characteristics living together within a larger society. – Being part of a supportive community can enhance a person’s sense of belonging and well-being.
Relationships – The connections and interactions between individuals, which can be personal or professional. – Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.
Reality – The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. – Understanding the difference between online portrayals and reality is important for mental health.
Connections – The relationships and links between people, which can provide support and a sense of belonging. – Building strong connections with peers can help students feel more engaged and supported at school.
