The Dove Self-Esteem Project
How Dove’s Self-Esteem Project is Tackling Social Media’s Harmful Impact on Kids
For those of us working in the eating disorder field, the negative impact social media can have on kids and teens—especially young girls—is no surprise. For years, Dove has been at the forefront of campaigns aimed at reshaping beauty standards. Through their powerful videos, they’ve consistently highlighted people who deviate from the narrow definition of stereotypical beauty in our society.
Their latest initiative, the Dove Self-Esteem Project, might just be their most impactful yet.
The Power of Dove’s New Campaign
To understand the depth of this project, watch the video Dove released: Watch the Video
I dare you not to cry!
Now that you’re likely tearing up, let’s talk about why this video and the campaign as a whole are so powerful.
For many parents, the story is all too familiar: they watch helplessly as their once playful, loving, and confident child becomes consumed by their phone and the negative messages about how they “should” look. Rarely do we see videos so accurately depicting a child’s journey from carefree innocence to the overwhelming pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
As a therapist, I hear stories like this every day. I can see when my clients struggle to connect with their authentic selves because beauty standards have overtaken their sense of identity. Even more heartbreaking are the parents who come to me feeling like they’ve “lost” their child to the influence of social media and diet culture.
What Makes the Dove Self-Esteem Project Different
Dove is taking a bold stand with this project, aiming to “[help] young people overcome body image issues and fulfill their potential by building positive body confidence and self-esteem.”
Their Self-Esteem Project is packed with resources for parents, teachers, and youth leaders to help young people combat the harmful effects of diet culture and embrace body neutrality and positivity.
Some standout features of the project include:
• Age-Specific Articles: Topics cover everything from body shaming and bullying to emotion coaching (like active listening and validation) and handling peer pressure.
• Actionable Resources: These tools help adults provide consistent, positive messaging to kids and teens, countering the harmful narratives they encounter online daily.
• Mindset-Shifting Content: The project gives adults a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by today’s youth and offers practical strategies to build resilience.
Why This Matters
Dove’s campaign doesn’t just call attention to the problem—it equips adults with the tools to make a difference. By providing a blueprint to address body image issues and the harmful effects of social media, the project empowers parents, educators, and mentors to take meaningful action.
Explore Dove’s Resources
Want to dive deeper into the Self-Esteem Project? Check out their website and explore the amazing resources they’ve created: Visit Dove’s Self-Esteem Project
This campaign is a step in the right direction, helping kids and teens see themselves beyond the narrow lens of social media’s beauty standards.
