Why we’re not OK with body shaming

We’ve been running a campaign which we feel VERY strongly about it. We’ve seen lots of examples of body shaming in top-selling magazines and we don’t like it. People buy these and read these and think it’s OK.

What is body shaming?

Body shaming is when someone brings you down cause of what you look like. They seem to think you should look a certain way. It’s more aimed at females – as if you need to be really skinny, have long legs and flowing hair – and if you don’t there’s something wrong with you. This could make you feel ashamed and worthless. An example is fat shaming – saying you think someone is overweight and judging them, like if they don’t have the ‘perfect beach body’.

What we aren’t happy about this

• Because words do hurt.  It’s just bullying. It makes me feel sad. I am eleven years old and children my age are easily influenced. It could make you feel doubtful and ashamed of yourself. We are all humans – you should be pulling us up not pushing us down.
• What you put on the internet stays there forever and can haunt people for the rest of their lives.
• These people who write in the magazines get paid to make fun of people, and it could influence other people to bully.
• It makes me worried for high school incase people say similar things to me as they do in these magazines.
• If I have a similar feature I compare myself to the person they’re shaming. It ruins and destroys people’s self esteem.

What do we think the magazines and the media should do instead?

Just stop doing this – it makes people upset.

Say something nice! Comment on how beautiful people look or say something about them not their looks. Talk about people’s achievements.

They could do the ‘best dressed’ instead of the ‘worst dressed’?

Have more true stories which are inspirational! Write about more important things  – like a new species of animal which has just been discovered or news from around the world.

What we think parents and others could do to help

Talk to your children and tell them that what the magazines are saying is wrong and not true and they don’t have to look a certain kind of way.

Don’t buy these magazines!

What could you do if people make body shaming comments to you?

Think. Walk away. Tell someone you trust so you can talk about it.

Ignore them because they have no right to judge you. Nobody is perfect! And bullying is NEVER ok.

Get help from others if you feel insecure.

Do whatever you want to do – no one can stop you!

This blog was written by Saima, Takiyah, Elimae, Olivia, Darine, Hayden, Amelia and Mckenzie on behalf of Year 6 from Cottingley Primary Academy.

If you’re worried about being bullied and not sure how to get help read more on the MindMate bullying page.