SPRING is finally here and as we step into a warmer season it is common for social media and magazines to be flooded with images, videos and articles about getting ‘beach ready’.

For many people, especially young people going through puberty, this can have a negative impact on how they feel about their bodies. They might feel pressured to achieve a certain body shape and lose confidence in their appearance.

It’s normal to worry about the way we look sometimes, but for some this concern can lead to anxiety about their body and fear of wearing summer clothes in warmer weather days. Body confidence affects people of all ages and genders and can have a huge impact on self-esteem. From April 2022 to March 2023, Childline delivered 4,179 counselling sessions where the young person’s main concern was body image or an eating disorder.

For parents and carers, knowing your child is struggling with body image can be extremely worrying. The NSPCC has advice to help. Regular chats about body image can help to normalise discussions around this topic. Encourage them not to compare themselves to others and remind them that we’re all different and no one is ‘perfect’. Ask them to think of three things they like about themselves, if they struggle, point out what you think is beautiful about them. They could write it down to read every morning.

Our Childline website provides suggestions to help children and young people feel better about themselves. This includes practicing acting confident, by walking with their head upright or wearing a bright colour. Sometimes playing the part can help us feel better about ourselves. Physical health, including regular exercise and eating healthily can also make a positive impact on confidence. Encourage youngsters to focus on hobbies or things they’re good at and to be mindful of what they see online as many photos and videos are edited. Additionally, what we say about ourselves can change how we feel on the inside. Negative speech can impact how we feel about our appearance and can sometimes develop into something more serious, like an eating disorder.

It’s important that children and young people have someone to talk to and realise they’re not alone. Body image concerns can impact them for the rest of their lives, so if your child tells you they’re struggling with this it’s vital they feel heard, supported and not judged. They could also talk to a friend, another family member or another adult they feel safe with, such as a teacher. Our moderated Childline message boards are a great forum to share feelings with peers. Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111. Adults concerned about a child can email help@nspcc.org.uk