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two out of three parents say their kids are insecure about their looks

and it looks like social media plays a large part.

by dave yasvinski

sep 19 2022

3 minute read

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most parents say their kids are insecure about their looks

according to the poll, nearly a third of parents have heard their child make negative comments about their appearance. getty

a new poll has found that nearly two thirds of parents think their child is insecure about their appearance, with one in five reporting their kids to be too self-conscious to pose for photos.

the nationally representative report , which summarizes responses from 1,653 u.s. parents with at least one child aged eight to 18, found the greatest sources of insecurity to their children to be their weight, hair and skin conditions. height and facial features were also a concern reported by a smaller number of parents. nearly 20 per cent of respondents with girls said their child felt self-conscious about their breasts.

“children begin forming opinions about their bodies and looks at a very young age,” said susan woolford , a child obesity expert, pediatrician and co-director of the poll that was conducted at university of michigan health c.s. mott children’s hospital.

“these findings reinforce research that as kids receive unhealthy messages about societal ideals, it can lead to a poor self-image of themselves. left unchecked, a preoccupation with appearance and body dissatisfaction may lead to decreased mental health and emotional well-being and increase risks for eating disorders, depression and low self-esteem.”

these issues only grow with age, according to the report, with parents of teens more likely than parents of younger children to relay insecurities about appearance (73 per cent of teen girls and 69 per cent of teen boys, compared to 57 per cent of younger girls and 49 per cent of younger boys).

“as kids get older, they become more self-aware, are more likely to compare themselves to peers and may be more influenced by media portrayals about beauty and the most desirable body shape, face and look,” woolford said. “it’s developmentally normal for adolescents and teens to experience some insecurities but if it’s interfering with their ability to enjoy social interactions or other activities, they may need help.”

according to the poll, nearly a third of parents have heard their child make negative comments about their appearance. nearly one in three parents with a self-conscious child believe this insecurity is having a negative effect on their self-esteem and one in five say it prevents them from engaging in certain activities, particularly if a camera is present. this can cause them to hide from photos, wear baggy clothing or restrict the amount of food they eat.

and although parents largely reported that in-person interactions had a greater effect on their children than social media, those who described their child as insecure about their appearance were more than twice as likely to say their child was impacted by social media.

researchers offered some helpful ways for parents to help nurture self-confidence and body confidence in children, beginning with acting as a positive role model. “kids are watching every time you step on that scale and sigh about needing to lose weight or point out your own perceived flaws in the mirror,” woolford said. “lead by example to teach them self-love and respect.”

parents can also embrace body diversity, avoid praising children for their beauty, promote family connection through healthy activities and teach their kids to be critical when assessing media — particularly in the age of social media influencers.

“parents can teach their children to be media literate and savvy so they understand that these portrayals of the perfect body, face and look in advertisements, media and even from their own friends doesn’t reflect reality,” woolford said. “by laying a strong foundation of healthy attitudes, parents can help their children develop a positive body image through youth and adulthood.”

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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two out of three parents say their kids are insecure about their looks

and it looks like social media plays a large part.

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