Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
ahihi OpenLearn
OpenLearn
Menu
sticky search

About this free course

Become an OU student

Download this course

Share this free course

Course content Course content
Introduction to adolescent mental health
Introduction to adolescent mental health

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

More free courses

3.2 Images of perfection?

Young people can spend a great deal of time engaging with social media in very different ways. From social media platforms, messaging and communication applications, online television or radio and online games, young people share images, communicate, learn and play using these different media.

Activity 8: Body shaming

Timing: Allow 40 mins

Watch Video 4 of a young person Chessie King who is a YouTuber interested in online digital media and particularly body images. As you watch, make notes which address the following questions:

  • How are young people influenced by the reactions of others via social media?
  • How might cyber bullying impact upon a young person’s mental health?
Download this video clip.Video player: Video 4: Cybersmile and Chessie King Body Positivity Campaign
Copy this transcript to the clipboard
Print this transcript
Show transcript|Hide transcript

Transcript: Video 4: Cybersmile and Chessie King Body Positivity Campaign

It's my body and it has taken me years to embrace it, but I'm finally proud to show it off in my underwear.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
 
Night, sleep well. Night, sleep-- night, sleep well. Night, sleep well. Night, night, night, night, night, night, night, night.
End transcript: Video 4: Cybersmile and Chessie King Body Positivity Campaign
Download
Video 4: Cybersmile and Chessie King Body Positivity Campaign
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).
To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

This video highlights the many pressures that social media can exert and here it is presented in relation to body image and the pressure to look a certain way. Many young people experience body shaming and report being the victims of online trolling.

Online trolling is a name used to describe persistent and often seemingly random comments made in an online community to provoke emotion and reaction. Research indicates how online trolls often intend to seek attention by causing upset and distress in others, whilst hiding behind their screens.