Tween publication slammed for ‘body shaming’

The publisher of Discovery Girls magazine apologized for an article that caused a firestorm online from parents of tween girls. Here’s how things unfolded.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

The article—”What Swimsuit Best Suits You?”—provided “tips” for girls, dividing them into categories by body type.

For instance, tweens who consider themselves “curvy up top” were encouraged to consider swimsuits with side ties ad cut outs to “draw the eyes down.” Girls with slender frames were encouraged to “add curves with asymmetrical straps and bold prints.” The magazine’s content is targeted to girls ages 8 through 12. RELATED: Master social media methods to turn skeptical millennials into brand advocates.

Several Twitter users took to the platform to voice their displeasure:

hey @DiscoveryGirls magazine, aren’t you supposed to be promoting confidence for young girls? NOT this! #frustrated pic.twitter.com/YdbjeToTds

— Nicole Baron (@nfb1023) April 13, 2016

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.