Lesson 14

Bodies in Media

Kids develop critical media literacy skills around how bodies and sexuality are represented. Covers body diversity in media, unrealistic beauty standards, and online safety around sexual content.
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.


Vocabulary
TermDefinition
MediaTV, movies, music, books, ads, and the internet, all the ways we get information and entertainment.
Media literacyThe ability to think critically about what we see and hear in media.
Body imageHow we feel about and see our own body.
Unrealistic standardsIdeas about what bodies should look like that are not based on real, diverse human bodies.
PornographyPhotos or videos of sexual activity made for adults. It is not meant for kids and does not show realistic relationships.