We need to think critically about the media's messages... AND teach our children and teenagers to critique the media's values.
The National Eating Disorders Association has some great ideas on how to begin to be a Critical Viewer. Remember:
* All media images and messages are constructions. They are NOT reflections of reality. Advertisements and other media messages have been carefully crafted with an intent to send a very specific message.
* Advertisements are created to do one thing: convince you to buy or support a specific product or service.
* To convince you to buy a specific product or service, advertisers will often construct an emotional experience that looks like reality. Remember, you are only seeing what the advertisers want you to see.
* Advertisers create their message based on what they think you will want to see and what they think will affect you and compel you to buy their product. Just because they think their approach will work with people like you doesn’t mean it has to work with you as an individual.
* As individuals, we decide how to experience the media messages we encounter. We can choose to use a filter that helps us understand what the advertiser wants us to think or believe and then choose whether we want to think or believe that message. We can choose a filter that protects our self-esteem and body image.
(National Eating Disorders Association. For the full resource click here.)
Also check out an awesome website on this topic: www.about-face.org. They have tons of resources!
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