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Written by
UK Team
25th April, 2023

5Rights partners with Dove to make social media safer for young people

Social media is making kids sick. Over 8 in 10 youth mental health specialists say social media is fuelling a mental health crisis among young people.

A minimalistic image featuring a white background with a soft gradient towards the bottom. In the centre, there is a small gold dove logo, symbolising the Dove brand. Below the logo, a message is written in blue text: "The cost of toxic beauty content is greater than we think.

New research from the Dove Self-Esteem Project has revealed:

  1. 9 in 10 children are exposed to toxic beauty content on social media. As a result, this harmful content is impacting the mental health of 1 in 2 children.
  2. 9 in 10 youth mental health specialists say exposure to harmful beauty content on social media can lead to physical consequences, like disordered eating or self-harm.

Dove’s ‘Campaign for Kids Online Safety’ is taking action to support young people’s mental health.

Watch campaign video

Dove is funding access to mental health resources and support organisations that are working to make social media safer from the design level.

Campaigning for safer social media

5Rights together with Global Action Plan, Girlguiding and Parenting Mental Health, will raise awareness of harmful features on social media to encourage new design standards that will make social media safer for kids.

Together, we can protect our kids’ mental health. Visit Dove.com/KidsOnlineSafety to sign the ‘Protect Kids’ Mental Health’ petition from GAP and 5Rights to call for social media to be made safe by design.

Providing access to resources

In partnership with the Maudsley Charity, Dove will fund Mental Health Facilities at the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People – a new facility that will protect the mental health of some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders.

In partnership with Parenting Mental Health, Dove will make access to support services and advocates more accessible for parents whose kids are navigating mental health challenges. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk / Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential mental health support, 24/7.

#KidsOnlineSafety