SchoolTV is an excellent resource designed for parents and schools to assist in raising happy, well and resilient youth.

Wellbeing cannot exist just in your own head. Well-being is a combination of feeling good as well as actually having meaning, good relationships and accomplishment.

Dr. Martin Seligman

SchoolTV is an online resource designed to inform, educate and empower parents, teachers and other community members about some of the challenges around raising safe, happy and resilient young people. It is a fresh approach to the growing issues and pressures faced by Australian youth.

The features of SchoolTV include video based content and leading youth research and strategies on topics such as digital reputation, sexting, screen addiction, cyberbullying, youth anxiety and self harm. Some of Australia’s leading academics, specialists and authorities in youth health and wellbeing contribute to SchoolTV, with changes to their focus monthly.

Social Media and Comparison Culture

Current edition of SchoolTV

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people’s lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights – from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety – undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It’s vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child’s self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a ‘like’ or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today’s comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

If there are any topics discussed on SchoolTV which raise any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Resources

You can access all previous SchoolTV topics from the archives.

Dr Jodi Richardson – drjodirichardson.com.au (author of Anxious Kids)
Professor Lea Waters – www.leawaters.com/blog
Beyond Blue – beyondblue.org.au