Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

NetTweens: The Internet and Body Image Concerns in Preteenage Girls

Tiggemann, Marika; Slater, Amy

Authors

Marika Tiggemann

Amy Slater Amy.Slater@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Centre for Appearance Research



Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between media exposure and body image concerns in preteenage girls, with a particular focus on the Internet. A sample of 189 girls (aged 10-12 years) completed questionnaire measures of media consumption and body image concerns. Nearly all girls (97.5%) had access to the Internet in their home. Time spent on-line was significantly related to internalization of the thin ideal (as was time reading magazines and watching television), body surveillance, reduced body esteem, and increased dieting. In accord with the sociocultural model, internalization mediated the effect of the Internet on body image concerns. Further, 14% of the girls had a MySpace profile and 43% had a Facebook profile. Time spent on these social networking sites produced stronger correlations with body image concern than did overall Internet exposure. It was concluded that the Internet represents a potent sociocultural force among preteenage girls. © The Author(s) 2013.

Citation

Tiggemann, M., & Slater, A. (2014). NetTweens: The Internet and Body Image Concerns in Preteenage Girls. Journal of Early Adolescence, 34(5), 606-620. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431613501083

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2014
Journal Journal of Early Adolescence
Print ISSN 0272-4316
Electronic ISSN 1552-5449
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 5
Pages 606-620
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431613501083
Keywords NetTweens, internet, body image, pre-teenage girls
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/817040
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431613501083
Additional Information Additional Information : First published on September 5, 2013