DEEcon Seminars: Television, social media and youth's body image, Prof. Dr. Laura Vandenbosch
Channel: DELab UW
Date: 2021-06-30

The next Digital Europe Economic Seminar was devoted to the research of Prof. Dr. Laura Vandenbosch on the influence of the media on the self-perception of young audiences.


Within today’s society, young people sometimes spend more time with (digital) media than being at school or sleeping. Much of the television content youth consume abound with beautiful girls and handsome guys. Similarly, the influencers they follow and the conversations they engage in on social media often include appearance-related messages. Knowing that a substantial part of young women and men struggle with their appearance, such media interaction may be problematic.


During the seminar we reviewed the most recent research insight on when and how such appearance messages on social media and television affect youth’s body image. In addition, the speaker touched on the body positivity movement and its potential to enhance positive body image in young people.