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What Parents & Caregivers Need to Know About Teen Body Image
It’s no secret that teens are prone to insecurities about body image and self-worth. Being a teenager in today’s culture — with constant connectivity and access to social media — has made body image issues even more prevalent, leading parents and caregivers to struggle with how to best support the teens in their lives. Self-esteem is a key factor in how teens (and children and adults too!) feel about their bodies and themselves. Let’s explore how parents and caregivers can help children build self-esteem. How Social Media Impacts Self-Esteem and Body Image Courtney Keener, Camber Mental Health Executive Director “Teens are at that age where they naturally have lower self-esteem because their body is changing, their hormones are changing and they’re learning about themselves,” explains Courtney Keener, Executive Director and mental health expert at Camber Mental Health, KVC Health Systems’ inpatient and residential mental health treatment network. Adolescence, ages 10 to 19, marks a critical stage of brain development. During this time, young people take more risks and mental health challenges such as depression typically emerge. Additionally, in early adolescence, children start defining who they are and how they see themselves. They build their sense of self-worth while navigating social pressures, peer opinions and constant comparison. “It’s a very vulnerable time for teens, and what they see on social media can greatly influence what they believe they should or should not look like or do or feel,” said Keener. Social Media & Comparison Social media acts like a magnifying glass for comparison, and teens rarely get a break from it. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, nearly every teen ages 13 to 17 reports use social media, and more than one in three say they use it “almost constantly.” With that level of exposure, social media can quickly shape how young people see themselves. Each like, comment and scroll triggers a rush of feel-good chemicals in the brain, which can make it hard to step away. Social media constantly tells teens how their bodies “should” look. Influencers, especially in fitness and fashion, often promote quick fixes and “easy” weight loss while showcasing highlight reels of bodies that are difficult, and often unrealistic, to achieve. As teens scroll, they take in these messages and start measuring themselves against them. “Social media definitely encourages negative self-esteem and negative self-image, when you are constantly a...
Free body image webinar for parents of pre-teens and teens.
❋ April 20, 2026 | 7:00-7:45 p.m. For parents of pre-teens and teens Register Register Join Bloomfield Psychology’s eating disorder specialist, Sarah Andress, LCSW, to learn about body image in pre-teens and teens. This webinar is for parents and is an opportunity to learn more about what body image actually is, why it matters, and how to help guide your child(ren) to a healthy body image. We will include time for Q & A.This webinar is free but space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Identity development in the face of childhood trauma: exploring ...
Identity development, a concept central to understanding how individuals gradually form a coherent sense of self, has been shown to be adversely impacted by childhood trauma, given the long-lasting emotional scars and disruptions it creates in self-perception and social relationships. However, studies are lacking on factors that may buffer this deleterious impact. This study thus examines ...
Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood
Parents and caregivers play the most vital role in social and emotional development in early childhood. They are the primary source of care and learning for a child. However, other people, including extended family members, teachers, and other community members, may also contribute to a child's understanding of emotions and social relationships.
