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Article Survey reveals teens are photoshopping images before posting online

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New information has been released that shows a number of Aussie 8-13 year olds are photoshopping their images before sharing.

Of the 302 children responding to the nationwide survey, 41 percent feel there is pressure to look good online. While a relatively small number – 11 percent of those surveyed – are starting to edit photos of themselves before posting them, the concern is that any digital doctoring of ‘selfies’ in the pursuit of perfection can have damaging consequences for the self-image and confidence of young girls and boys.

At this stage, the main driver of the ‘enhancements’ (41 percent) is to make the pictures more fun, followed wanting to look good (26 percent). And, encouragingly, a third (35 percent) of those who don’t edit photos say they are comfortable with how they look.

Michael McKinnon, AVG’s Security Awareness Director, said: “The digital world holds a host of opportunities and excitement for our children but it is important for teens to understand that what they see online or in the movies isn’t always real.

“Image honesty is being trammelled not only by Hollywood’s unrealistic beauty standards but being brought very close to home with an example from earlier this year of a school digitally altering student photos to remove piercings and blemishes.

“With kids experiencing such strong social pressure to always look perfect, we parents need to be very aware of the influences on our children. If kids don’t learn to accept pimples or braces when they’re very young, how will they ever be able to handle wrinkles and the other larger disappointing realities of life?” McKinnon asked.

Do you know what your kids share online? Do they alter images of themselves before posting? SHARE your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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Comments

  • new information

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  • Basically because they can and they follow one another in doing so … Sad really

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  • reveals teen

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  • images before

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  • Yes you need to love the skin you are in!

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  • how could any one be surprised by this? our role as parents are to teach our kids what is important and build them up!

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  • I think it’s sad that teenagers do this but as they are in their adolescent years they have a image in their head that they want to be accepted by their peers so to them it’s about being pretty and wearing the right clothes and just simply fitting in. As they get older it’s hopeful they learn to love themselves and accept who they are and not worry what another person may think of them. Teaching our kids self confidence is very vital in this day and age.

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  • well the difference is that when you are young, you are developing self esteem and get bullied for pimples or flaws., When you are older, you don’t get bullied for wrinkles! And you probably care less about people’s opinions

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  • This is sooo sad ..we need to love the skin we are in.
    But I have one example, a school photo-shopped their students class photo’s, now what sort of message does this send our young.
    Except and love yourself, we are all beautiful people.

    • I have heard of this and it is awful and sad. 🙁

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  • Lke it

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  • 🙁 Terribly sad and no photo shop is used in this household – we prefer warts and all pics! 🙂

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  • My daughter is to young. But my nieces and nephews don’t use Photoshop for their photos

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  • photoshopping is fun

    Reply
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