#NoDigitalDistortion: Dove Empowers Young Women
Published on August 9, 2021, at 10:12 a.m.
by Mattie Naman.
Picture this: You snap the “perfect” shot of yourself to post on your Instagram. Until you realize that it may not be as perfect as you thought.
We have all been there. You immediately begin to count the imperfections on your body. Maybe you want to whiten your teeth, blur your blemishes or even slim your waist. These days, all thanks to the creation of a few superficial apps, your imperfections can be gone in an instant. So, what is the problem with this narrative?
The problem is that this priming to look the best version of yourself is starting younger than ever. Smartphones in the hands of young women cause a toxic environment that tears down their self-esteem and confidence during their growing years.
Luckily, one company is using its social media platforms to build young women up.
In April 2021, Dove launched a campaign video titled “Reverse Selfie” on its social media that depicts a young girl taking a selfie and then immediately distorting the image to look “perfect” — the kind of “perfect” that she sees on social media, the kind of “perfect” that causes her to believe she is not beautiful enough just the way she is. This short film is a powerful representation of how young girls are growing up in this recent age of social media and influencers.
Dove has come to rescue young girls from low self-esteem during a time when they need it most. It is no surprise that during the COVID-19 pandemic, our average screen time has shot through the roof, and this does not exclude young girls.
Scrolling through an endless feed of comparisons can destroy young women’s mental health. Dove’s mission is to support them.
This campaign was launched along with the hashtag #NoDigitalDistortion to educate young girls about self-esteem. Dove’s mission is to teach young women that confidence does not come from the number of likes you rack up on Instagram or how many views you receive on TikTok.
This is not the first time Dove has aimed to make a difference. This campaign is just a stepping stone in its Self-Esteem Project that has been empowering women everywhere. Through this campaign, Dove provides a Confidence Kit to guide parents and caretakers to have difficult and meaningful conversations about body image and being comfortable in your own skin.
Life as a young girl is tough, especially when it comes to being comfortable in your skin. I think we can all agree that this is the type of guidance we all could have used when we were younger.
What is so special about Dove is that it takes building valuable relationships with its publics to the next level. The company strives for more than just higher sales, but also higher confidence and self-love for the people using its products.
