navigating appearance-based bullying
Almost 70% of young people aged 12-18 report being teased about their body or appearance, this mostly happens at school.
Let’s sit with that statistic for a moment. That’s a lot of young people.
Being teased isn’t limited to direct bullying, it can also encompass light banter. Seemingly harmless jokes can have lasting impacts on our young people (and even adults).
let’s talk strategy
Here are eight ways you can support your young people to navigate appearance-based bullying:
1. don’t add to the bullying
Encourage your young people not to add to the bullying by laughing along or piling on with further jokes that may be hurtful.
2. if it’s safe, call someone out
Teach your young person to stand up for themselves when it is safe to do so. Provide examples of phrases they can say in response such as, "that's really not okay, my body is not up for discussion."
3. offer no reaction to the bully
If it is not safe to respond, encourage your young person to walk away from the interaction. In many circumstances, silence can be more powerful than response.
4. be present & connect
If your young person tells you about their experience with appearance-based bullying, be present and hold space for them to share.
5. set body boundaries
Encourage your young person to think about what comments are okay and not okay when it comes to their body. Awareness of the way they feel about their body can help to distinguish between comments that are helpful and harmful.
6. check in with your peers
Encourage your young person to check in with their peers if they have seen them be bullied or teased at school.
7. practice using affirmations
Body appreciation affirmations can be a great tool for young people that are struggling with their body image. They can encourage feelings of positivity and appreciation for their body as it is today.
8. remind them of their worth
Remind your young people often that they are so much more than their appearance, and that the way they look is only one part of who they are. This can be so supportive on days when they're struggling.
Navigating negative comments is hard enough as an adult when we have developed strategies over the course of life. We need to teach our young people how to work through potential issues they might be facing at school.
If this post was helpful for you and you think a friend or family member might also benefit from it, be sure to share it with them. The more we can empower our young people the better!
Statistics sourced from: Butterfly Foundation (2023), Our First Body Kind Youth Survey Findings.
