DiscoverYour Daughter

As your daughter approaches her tween years, you’ll probably notice that she has a greater interest in teen idols than she had a few years ago. Some interest in celebrities is normal, but it can go too far. In fact, an obsession with celebrities sometimes results in lost self-esteem in children. So what should you do if you see your tween’s moderate idol-interest turning into obsessive idol-worship? First, don’t underestimate how much influence teen idols can have on your daughter. Then, read on to find four things you can do to keep her interest in teen idols in check.

Teen Idols and Their Influence on Tween Girls

It’s no secret that celebrities can make a huge impression on tween girls. From the way girls dress and act to how they perceive their own bodies, what tweens see on TV and in magazines plays a big role in their lives. A recent Discovery Girls survey found that 36 percent of girls who worry they’re not the “right size” said that comparing themselves to celebrities and models contributed to their feelings of inadequacy. In her book All Made Up: A Girl’s Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype and Seeing Real Beauty, Audrey Brashich cites the following statistics:

• 19 hours, 40 minutes: Average time per week Americans aged 2 to 17 spend watching TV
• 40,000: Number of commercials seen by an average child in one year

In addition, nearly 70 percent of tween girls surveyed by Discovery Girls spent at least one hour online every day, and more than 20 percent spent more than three hours. When you add it all up, that’s a lot of media exposure! Can there be any doubt that Hollywood’s obsession with weight has a tremendous influence on sensitive tween girls and the way they perceive their looks—perhaps an even stronger influence than the girls themselves realize?

When Celebrity Worship Results in Lost Self-Esteem in Children

Celebrity worship and an obsession with teen idols can result in lost self-esteem in children, and several studies have shown that this loss of self-esteem can lead to poor family relationships, poor body image, and even eating disorders. “Eating disorders start young,” says Dr. Karen Landers, a pediatrician and health officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health. “Girls come into the office and want to look like the latest teen idol…[a diet] leads to further problems, such as anorexia and bulimia.”

Four Things Parents Can Do to Stop Teen-Idol Worship

That’s the bad news about teen idols. But there’s good news, too—she’s got you on her side, and you have more power than you think. Try these four simple strategies to keep her interest in celebrities and teen idols from hurting her self-esteem.

1. Create a distraction!
Get your child’s mind off celebrities by helping her participate in healthy activities. For example, involve your daughter in sports. For more information on how sports can improve lost self-esteem in children, read “5 Ways Sports Are Empowering Girls and Building Their Self-Esteem.” 

2. Promote teen idols who can be a positive influence.
Some teen idols are famous for their accomplishments in sports or other areas where there is less emphasis on how they look and more emphasis on what they can do. Help your daughter develop an interest in these celebrities by doing positive things like watching the Olympics together and exploring the personal stories of female athletes. If she idolizes actresses and pop stars, steer her in the direction of stars who champion worthwhile causes and give back in other ways, so that she at least sees them as more than “just a pretty face.”

3. As much as possible, control the messages she receives.
Although you can’t be with her all the time, there will be many times when you can control the messages your daughter receives. Don’t be afraid to prescreen movies, music, and videos for content that sends the wrong message. If you see that Hollywood is glamorizing an unhealthy body image or the Hollywood lifestyle, don’t be afraid to say no. Your daughter may complain, but she’ll survive—and although she may not express it to you, she’ll be happy knowing you’re watching out for her.

4. Communicate frequently and openly with your daughter.
Talk openly with your daughter about her favorite celebrity’s positive and negative attributes. Help your daughter see that the person she idolizes is a real person with flaws, challenges, and disappointments. Dispel the myth that celebrity status is always glamorous.

Although teen idols may have more influence on your daughter than you would like, don’t forget that you are her biggest influence.

Click here to request your free report, “Self-Esteem in Tween Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Have Improved Self-Esteem.”