More than 5 million negative tweets about body image – whether in criticism of self or others – were posted in 2014, and women are currently 50% more likely to put down than compliment themselves on social media.
Credit: Adweek
If you’ve been following the Oscars this year, chances are you’ve already seen this video:
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In an attempt to counter the tidal wave of negative tweets about beauty and body image, Dove and Twitter have teamed up to launch the #SpeakBeautiful campaign. This initiative to boost women’s self-esteem kicked off during the Academy Awards pre-show, but will be ongoing all year round.
What happens is this: when a Twitter tool detects negative keywords in tweets, such as ‘ugly’ or ‘worthless’, Dove’s self-esteem experts will reply with positive messages and advice. In addition, #SpeakBeautiful encourages women to post things they love about themselves and others, in hopes of creating a domino effect of empowering conversations on social media.
And judging by Twitter and Dove research, #SpeakBeautiful seems all too necessary. More than 5 million negative tweets about body image – whether in criticism of self or others – were posted in 2014, and women are currently 50% more likely to put down than compliment themselves on social media. Then there’s the data that Dove tweeted live during the Oscars:
The word "Ugly" was used 22,600 times between 6-7:30pm. Together - we can change the conversation. #SpeakBeautiful https://t.co/34F577T2Kp
— Dove (@Dove) February 23, 2015
6,783-> times "disgusting" was posted in 3 hours of award show Tweets. The power is in our hands. #SpeakBeautiful https://t.co/NCS657sdgI
— Dove (@Dove) February 23, 2015
In the 15 hours since last night's red carpet, "ugly" was Tweeted 169,480 times. Start a new trend. #SpeakBeautiful https://t.co/ErwHt9OIHk
— Dove (@Dove) February 23, 2015
Those stats give you a general idea of the malice going around on social media. While this is definitely not to say that they form the majority of Oscar-related tweets – according to Nielsen, 13 million US Twitter users alone checked out the show – that’s rather a lot of revulsion at a gathering of some of the most beautiful, talented people in the world.
omg. The world is on fire and twitter is filled with dresses and ugly statue #Oscars2015
— Yvonne Ursinus (@YUrsinus) February 23, 2015
#Oscars2015 BORING,ugly hair, awful dresses, no class or glamour, #MLKrollingoverinhisgrave comparing #FERGUSONtoSelma @greggutfeld
— Mushkie (@blisswithin) February 23, 2015
…which naturally get more and more personal.
Matthew, what's that ugly on your face? #Oscars2015
— rebeca (@ohrebeca) February 23, 2015
My mom wants all of Hollywood to know that she's glad that their women no longer care that they're too fat for their dresses. #oscars2015
— Bil Antoniou (@huppert77) February 23, 2015
Someone call security. They've let a fat person into the #Oscars2015
— Low Mantra (@LowMantraMusic) February 23, 2015
Read more at Vulcan Post.