Lesson 14
Bodies in Media
Key Ideas
- Media includes TV, movies, music, ads, and the internet, and it sends us messages about bodies.
- Media often shows a very narrow picture of what bodies should look like, but all bodies are good bodies.
- Images are often edited to look perfect, and real bodies do not look like that.
- Media does not always show diverse skin colors, sizes, abilities, or family types.
- It is okay to notice media messages and ask questions about them.
- Sometimes the internet has things that are not meant for kids. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult.
- You are allowed to have your own feelings and opinions about what you see, separate from what media tells you.
| Term | Definition |
| Media | TV, movies, music, books, ads, and the internet, all the ways we get information and entertainment. |
| Media literacy | The ability to think critically about what we see and hear in media. |
| Body image | How we feel about and see our own body. |
| Unrealistic standards | Ideas about what bodies should look like that are not based on real, diverse human bodies. |
| Pornography | Photos or videos of sexual activity made for adults. It is not meant for kids and does not show realistic relationships. |