What are YOU looking at? A pilot study of a media literacy and self-esteem tool for adolescents

Polanski, Anna; Ronquillo, Charlene Esteban

Abstract

The project targets the primary theme “Practice” encompassing the sub-themes of innovation and use of technology. It is a product of student learning and application of learning. The projects purpose was to create a medium to address self-image and self-esteem targeting adolescents. An interactive booklet entitled “What are YOU looking at?” was created which contains images of media icons before and after digital enhancement, information on the process of image alteration, an interactive quiz, information on factors that affect self-esteem, relevant statistics of the effects of media alteration on body image, and resources that adolescents can utilize and explore on their own. The intended goal is for adolescents to decrease internalization of physical sociocultural ideals of beauty through critical re-examination of media enhancement strategies.

The booklet was introduced to two groups of adolescents on two separate occasions – males between 12-15, and females between 16-18 years old. Both groups completed anonymous Likert-based feedback questionnaires. Results revealed increased awareness of media image manipulation and an increase in media literacy.

Nurses can use this tool to increase media literacy and prompt critical examination of media. We are all affected by the unrealistic expectations of beauty perpetuated in the media. If a collective increase in media literacy can be done, this can prompt reconstruction of the population’s beauty ideals and perspective transformation of how media shapes and influences individual self-perceptions.

The presentation’s key objectives are as follows:
- Discuss the impact that media images have on self-esteem, which in turn influence other health conditions in today’s society.
- Present the intervention developed, implementation process and key findings.
- Discuss the significance of the intervention and how it directly relates to community health nurses working in various community settings.
- Provide suggestions to how this intervention can be modified to various populations and community settings.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: The Second National Community Health Nurses Conference of the Community Health Nurses Association of Canada
• Start Date: Jun 8, 2008
• End Date: Jun 8, 2008
• Acceptance Date: Feb 14, 2008
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: media literacy, adolescents, self-esteem
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1021178
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : The Second National Community Health Nurses Conference of the Community Health Nurses Association of Canada