The Reflection on My Screen
An honest look at the damaging effects of social media on youth, particularly femme identifying youth.
BY: Abida Chowdhury, Leslie Gomez, Christell Pelico, & Zaira Ortiz
We made a short documentary film highlighting the negative effects of social media and how beauty standards can be damaging to young girls and women alike. Using a range of personal perspectives, intimate shots, and impactful statistics, this film highlights the damaging influence of social media on youth, particularly femme-identifying youth.
BEFORE YOU WATCH THE FILM, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
- How has social media impacted your body image?
- How do you think social media impacts society’s treatment of women?
- Do you think social media is harmful?
- How have the beauty standards on social media affected you personally.
AFTER WATCHING THE FILM, LET’S ASK OURSELVES:
- Do you remember what your life was like before getting social media? Do you prefer that life?
- How do you think social media can become a safer place? What steps do we need to take?
- Do you think that social media is toxic?
Reading Materials:
- Pew Research: Social Media Use in 2021
- Here’s How Social Media Affects Your Mental Health
- Selfie-Esteem: The Relationship Between Body Dissatisfaction and Social Media in Adolescent and Young Women | In-Mind
- The complicated truth about social media and body image
- Social Media and Self-Esteem | Impact of Social Media on Youth
- Girls Empowerment Network
- Women In The Media
Social media accounts to follow: (that promote body positivity!)
- @bodypositivepear
- @theshirarose
- @laura.iu
- @mynameisjessamyn
- @itsmekellieb
- @ragenchastain
- @love_disfigure
- @allisonkimmey
- @dietitiannanna
- WATCH + SHARE THIS FILM (with anyone and everyone) on your Instagram account and use this copy and hashtags for your post:
Using a range of personal perspectives, intimate shots, and impactful statistics, this film highlights the damaging effects of social media on youth, particularly femme identifying youth. @nikoletavujnovic @ab111daa @imlesliegomez @zairaortizo
#girlsvoicesnow #womensvoicesnow #TheReflectionOnMyScreen #empathytoaction #beautiful #bodypositive #womeninfilm #womeninmedia #socialmedia #beautystandards #bodyimage
- Unfollow people who make you feel unhappy with your body
- Follow more body positive/neutral content creators (see above)
- Make a positive comment on someone’s post at least once a day (or whenever you get on social media)
- Get more informed on how social media creates unrealistic expectations
- Reach out to someone and make sure they’re okay
- Take social media breaks when needed
- Host a screening of our film with your community/ friends
- Post body positive posts or quotes
We are Girls’ Voices Now! To learn more about this program visit womensvoicesnow.org
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