YMCA’s Be Real Campaign finds that almost two-thirds of young people feel pressure to look their best online

Almost two-thirds of young people (61%) feel pressure to look their best online, according to new findings from the Be Real Campaign. The alarming research also revealed that more than two-thirds (67%) regularly worry about the way they look. In response to this pressure, our research found that more than two-thirds of young people (67%) edit photos of themselves before posting them on social media and nearly a quarter (23%) spent more than five minutes doing so, with some taking over an hour. These edits would typically include removing blemishes…

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YMCA’s Be Real Campaign releases Body Confidence Advent Calendar and Christmas Guide

A new guide about how to stay body confident throughout Christmas has been launched to help people make the most of the festive season and not miss out due to worries about their appearance. YMCA’s Be Real Campaign launched the Body Confidence Christmas Guide,which includes top tips on how to worry less about what we look like in the lead up to Christmas and the start of the New Year, by focussing on experiences, quality time with loved ones and practicing self-care. The guide is part of the campaign’s mission to…

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Dove & the YMCA launch #IPledgeToBeReal Campaign

People across the country have been urged to show their real-selves this summer after new figures reveal that celebrities and people on social media put the most pressure on young people to look ‘perfect’. The YMCA spoke to more than 1,000 young people aged 11 to 16 years-old about body image expectations, with 58% of those saying celebrities are responsible, while 52% blamed people on social media. The pressure to look ‘perfect’ especially increases among older young people, with 62% of 15 to 16 year-olds admitting pressure about their looks…

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