Jun 19, 2012
SPARK Movement, MissRepresentation, Lovesocial and I Am That Girl Launch the Keep It Real Challenge
A 3-Day Campaign Targeting Unhealthy Use of Photoshop in Media
(Vancouver, BC) – SPARK Movement, MissRepresentation.org, Lovesocial.org and I Am That Girl are joining forces to host a three-day social media campaign to urge print magazines to pledge to use at least one non-photoshopped image of their young female models per issue. The Keep It Real Challenge, which runs from June 27th through the 29th is designed to start a media revolution and help girls, women and their allies realize the power of their individual and collective voices to create positive change.
As summer begins and teenagers wrap up school, the “bikini body” pressure is on. Instead of young girls pushing themselves to fit into a swimsuit, this social media campaign will inspire them to challenge the media creators who propagate unrealistic images of young girls and women, and encourage them to enjoy their summer in other more positive ways. Studies show that after reading a teen or womenʼs magazine, girls report feeling worse about their bodies and express a desire to lose weight. Eating disorders are the the leading cause of death for girls ages 15-24 (National Eating Disorder Organization 2012).
Inspired by 14 year old SPARK activist Julia Bluhmʼs successful Change.org petition demanding that Seventeen Magazine print one non-photoshopped model spread per issue, the campaign will continue to focus on this simple request.
The campaign will launch as a Facebook event where supporters can RSVP, comment, and collaborate. Each day of the challenge will be centered on a different online action.
On day one (June 27th) Twitter users will use hashtag #KeepItReal, directly asking magazines to pledge to change their practices around photoshopping bodies. During day two (June 28th) participants will create a blogging firestorm – personally reflecting on how unrealistic images of beauty have impacted them. And on the final day three (June 29th), via Instagram, users will post their own photos of “real beauty” to be entered in the #KeepitRealChallenge – with selected photos to be featured on a billboard in New York City later this year.
Taken collectively, the social media campaign will serve as a massive wake-up call for the entire media industry as ordinary citizens speak up about the harmful effects of photoshopping images of people.
Join us for this three-day event at Facebook.com/MissRepresentationCampaign or Facebook.com/ SPARKSummit
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