Bullying | Madeline Morgan | TEDxYouth@ParkCity

TEDx Talks
21 May 201506:57
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe speaker, a 15-year-old multi-talented high school student, addresses the impact of media on self-esteem and the prevalence of bullying. She shares personal experiences of being bullied and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and self-love as a defense against negative societal pressures. The speech advocates for individuals to embrace their unique qualities, dubbed 'Mirror BeYOUty,' and encourages not letting stereotypes or bullies define one's self-worth.

Takeaways
  • 📘 The impact of media on self-esteem: Exposure to certain images in fashion magazines can significantly lower one's self-esteem within just a few seconds.
  • 🤔 The influence of societal norms: Society and media have trained individuals to perceive images in a certain way, often leading to negative self-perceptions.
  • 🏫 The prevalence of bullying: Bullying is not limited to specific groups but can affect anyone, and it's a widespread issue in schools.
  • 👦 The speaker's personal experience: The 15-year-old speaker shares her personal experiences with bullying and the emotional impact it has had on her.
  • 📈 The statistics on bullying: Approximately 3.2 million students are bullied each year, with a significant number of teachers either not recognizing it as a problem or not intervening.
  • 💔 The emotional harm of bullying: Being bullied as a child can be more emotionally damaging than adult abuse, according to a study by Fox News.
  • 🔍 The role of self-reflection: The speaker encourages individuals to look within and find something they love about themselves as a way to combat bullying.
  • 🚫 The futility of seeking external validation: The media's unrealistic standards can lead to self-criticism and the feeling of never being good enough.
  • 💪 The power of self-acceptance: By accepting oneself and not being swayed by bullies or societal pressures, individuals can build resilience against bullying.
  • 🌟 The importance of individuality: The speaker emphasizes the attractiveness of being true to oneself rather than conforming to superficial standards of beauty.
  • 🌈 The call to action: The speech concludes with a call for everyone to embrace their individuality and not let anyone, including bullies, define who they are.
Q & A

  • What is the impact of viewing images in fashion magazines on self-esteem according to the speaker?

    -The speaker mentions that looking at images in a fashion magazine for about three seconds can decrease one's self-esteem by 50%, as stated by Psychology Today.

  • How does the speaker describe the societal and media influence on the perception of images?

    -The speaker suggests that society and media have trained individuals to view images in a certain way, often leading to negative self-perceptions such as seeing oneself as 'fat,' 'ugly,' or 'weird.'

  • What is the speaker's age and what activities is she involved in at Park City High School?

    -The speaker is 15 years old, almost 16, and is involved in cheerleading, skiing, running, and is also an honor student at Park City High School.

  • How did the speaker's early exposure to media influence her self-perception?

    -The speaker recalls being around eight years old and asking her mother if she was 'skinny enough' and 'pretty enough' to win, indicating that media influenced her to equate thinness and beauty with success.

  • What unrealistic standards are girls and boys expected to meet according to media portrayals?

    -Girls are told they need to have visible collarbones, while boys are expected to have good hair and jawline. If they can't meet these standards, they may feel unworthy.

  • Why does the speaker believe that bullying is a widespread issue?

    -The speaker believes bullying is widespread because media presents unrealistic, photoshopped images of perfection, leading to a lack of self-acceptance and an environment prone to bullying.

  • What is the speaker's view on the possibility of completely stopping bullying?

    -The speaker does not believe that bullying can be completely stopped, as there is no law, cure, or punishment that can make people stop being rude to each other.

  • What advice does the speaker give to individuals who are being bullied?

    -The speaker advises individuals to look in the mirror, find something they love about themselves, and hold on to that when they are bullied, asserting that they know themselves better than any bully.

  • What is the term the speaker uses to describe the process of self-acceptance and standing up against bullying?

    -The speaker uses the term 'Mirror BeYOUty' to describe the process of self-acceptance and standing up against bullying.

  • What message does the speaker hope to convey to the audience about self-worth and beauty?

    -The speaker hopes to convey that being true to oneself is more attractive and beautiful than conforming to societal standards of beauty, and that one's character is what truly defines them.

  • What is the speaker's approach to dealing with bullying?

    -The speaker's approach is to stand up calmly, assert that the bully is wrong about them, and then walk away, making a better impression by not engaging aggressively.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 The Impact of Media on Self-Perception and Bullying

The first paragraph discusses the negative psychological effects of media images on self-esteem, citing a study from Psychology Today that suggests viewing fashion images can drastically reduce self-esteem in a short time. It highlights the societal and media-driven pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, and the speaker introduces herself as a multi-talented high school student who has been influenced by these pressures since childhood. The paragraph emphasizes the omnipresence of media and its role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and contributing to bullying behaviors.

05:03
💪 Overcoming Bullying with Self-Acceptance and Positivity

The second paragraph focuses on the speaker's personal experiences with bullying and her strategy for dealing with it. She encourages individuals to look inward, find self-worth, and not be swayed by the opinions of bullies. The speaker shares her intention to stand up against derogatory remarks without aggression and to walk away with dignity. She introduces the concept of 'Mirror BeYOUty,' which is about embracing one's individuality and character as the true essence of beauty. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for everyone to be true to themselves and not let external influences define their self-worth, ending with applause from the audience.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Self-esteem
Self-esteem refers to the overall subjective evaluation of one's own worth or value. In the video, it is mentioned that looking at fashion magazine images can significantly decrease one's self-esteem, highlighting the impact of media on personal self-worth and the theme of self-perception.
💡Bullying
Bullying is the act of using force, coercion, or threat to abuse, aggressively dominate, or intimidate others. The script discusses bullying as a widespread issue that affects various individuals, not just those who are socially marginalized, and emphasizes the emotional harm it causes.
💡Stereotypes
Stereotypes are widely held but fixed and oversimplified ideas or beliefs about a particular type of person or thing. The video challenges stereotypes by advocating for individuality and self-acceptance, rather than conforming to societal expectations or media portrayals.
💡Media Influence
Media influence refers to the effect that media, such as television, magazines, and social networks, have on people's perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. The script points out how media shapes unrealistic beauty standards and can contribute to negative self-image and bullying.
💡Unrealistic Standards
Unrealistic standards are expectations or criteria that are not attainable or practical. The video criticizes the media for promoting such standards, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, especially among young people.
💡Photoshop
Photoshop is a term often used to refer to the digital manipulation of images to alter their appearance, commonly used in advertising and media. The script mentions 'photoshoped' images to illustrate the discrepancy between the real and the artificially enhanced, affecting how people perceive themselves and others.
💡Collarbones
In the context of the video, collarbones symbolize a specific physical attribute that is considered desirable by some beauty standards. The mention of 'collarbones you can see from a mile away' critiques the superficial focus on certain body parts in media and societal beauty expectations.
💡Character
Character refers to the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. The speaker in the video emphasizes the importance of character over physical appearance, arguing that one's true beauty lies in their unique personality and values.
💡Mirror BeYOUty
Mirror BeYOUty is a concept introduced in the video that encourages individuals to look into the mirror and appreciate their own beauty and worth. It is a play on words combining 'mirror' and 'beauty' with 'be you,' highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and individuality.
💡Individuality
Individuality is the quality of being distinctive and separate from others. The video promotes embracing one's individuality as a means to resist negative influences from bullying and societal pressures to conform to certain ideals.
💡Emotional Harm
Emotional harm refers to psychological or emotional damage that can result from negative experiences or interactions. The script suggests that the emotional harm caused by bullying can be profound and long-lasting, emphasizing the importance of addressing and preventing it.
Highlights

Looking at fashion magazine images can decrease self-esteem by 50% within 3 seconds according to Psychology Today.

Society and media train people to view images in a negative way, associating them with bullying.

The speaker is a 15-year-old cheerleader, skier, runner, and honor student at Park City High School.

Media influences start from a young age, with TV shows like America's Next Top Model shaping perceptions of beauty.

Media portrays unrealistic beauty standards, such as visible collarbones for girls and specific hair and jawline for boys.

Unattainable beauty standards can lead to bullying as people feel they are not good enough.

Bullying is not something that can be stopped by laws or punishments alone.

Change to combat bullying must start with the individual, as emphasized by a quote from a personal idol.

Bullying affects a wide range of people, not just stereotypical targets like nerds or geeks.

3.2 million students are bullied each year, with many teachers unaware or unwilling to intervene.

A study by Fox News shows childhood bullying can be more emotionally harmful than adult abuse.

The speaker has personally experienced bullying and understands the emotional impact it has on individuals.

The solution proposed is self-reflection and finding something about oneself to be proud of, as a way to combat bullying.

The media's influence on self-perception can be overcome by focusing on personal strengths and characteristics.

Standing up against bullying involves asserting one's self-worth and not allowing others to define who you are.

The concept of 'Mirror BeYOUty' encourages individuals to embrace their true selves rather than conforming to societal standards.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of character over physical appearance in defining one's beauty and attractiveness.

Teaching the world to be true to oneself and not letting others dictate one's identity is a powerful message against bullying.

The speech concludes with a call to action for everyone to show their 'beYOUty' and embrace their individuality.

Transcripts

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Self-LoveBullying AwarenessMedia ImpactYouth AdvocateBody PositivityMental HealthSocial IssuesEmpathy BuildingStereotype BreakingPersonal GrowthAnti-Bullying