Love Every Body : minimising potential negative effects of media on children’s perception of body image

• Main Authors: Lam, Siew Ying, Sri Divya Bharati D/O Mohan, Sivanangai D/O Thirumeni Muthu Karuppan, Zarifah Mohmad Azhar
• Other Authors: Kim Hye Kyung
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities; DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66685
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The Love Every Body campaign aims to minimise the potential negative effects of media on children’s perception of body image through education. Children today are exposed to negative body images at an early age through media exposure. Also, they play and interact with media merchandise such as action figures and dolls that promote and normalize thinness. This campaign will educate both parents and children on the negative effects of the media, and teach children how to appreciate different forms of beauty. The primary target audience for this campaign is children aged 7 to 12 years old, as they are most easily impressionable. By using theatrical and narrative approaches, Love Every Body developed strategies such as drama-based workshops, a drama performance and an electronic storybook to help children learn about the issue effectively. The secondary target audience is the parents of children aged 7 to 12, because these parents are the greatest influencers of children at this developmental stage. A parent’s talk was held and informational brochures were given out to inform parents of several methods they could utilise to educate their child on media education. Findings indicate that children viewed their bodies positively after the campaign was executed. Parents were also aware and informed of how media can affect their children’s perceptions of body image. Overall, the strategies used in the campaign proved to be effective and useful in achieving the campaign’s objectives.