Butterfly launches first body image e-learning program proven to improve social media literacy and self-compassion in Australian secondary school students

Pilot evaluation shows significant benefits of Butterfly’s new BodyKind Online Education program among secondary school students. 

Today, Butterfly Foundation, the national charity for all people in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, is releasing the positive pilot results for BodyKind Online Education (BKOE) – the first evidence-informed, strength based, digital eLearning program developed for Australian secondary schools to support body image and online safety of young people, aged 12-16.  

The pilot evaluation conducted by the researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast involved nearly 500 students across four secondary schools in Victoria and Tasmania and showed statistically significant improvements in social media literacy, related to the critical assessment of appearance-focused media messages, and self-compassion, as well as improvements in social media behaviours and aspects of help-seeking.   

The BKOE eLearning program includes three-modules, for years 7 and 8, and years 9 and 10. The interactive and engaging prevention-focused education program incorporates videos, quizzes, and other activities to innovatively and safely explore topics such as appearance-based content and teasing,  misinformation, AI  and the role of algorithms, and provides positive strategies like critical thinking, self-compassion, online safety features, help-seeking and reporting. It also includes digital resources for educators, parents and caregivers.  

Student comments included: “It made me self-aware of what is fake and not”, “The course was interesting and informing, and it taught me things I previously did not know” and “I think it is a very important thing to do to help young kids”.  

Danni Rowlands, Head of Prevention at Butterfly, said “Social media literacy has been part of Butterfly’s body image education programs for young people, parents and educators since 2011. Thanks to support from the eSafety Commissioners Online Safety Grants Program (Round 3) we could develop an engaging program to specifically address the complex issue of body image online.  Being able to offer this program to Australian schools will improve young people’s social media literacy skills and help them navigate online environments in a more empowered way, helping to create a BodyKind future for our young people”  

With Butterfly’s latest BodyKind Youth Survey revealing that almost two thirds (62%) of 12–18-year-olds believe social media made them feel dissatisfied with their body, Butterfly is acutely aware of the significant impact online environments can have on young people and has been at the forefront of advocating for a holistic approach to solving social media harms, via the Social Media, Eating Disorder and Body Image working group recommendations to government and in other advocacy efforts. 

“With or without minimum age restrictions in place, education initiatives like BodyKind Online Education will be critical to prepare young people, school staff and parents for when they do have access to social media, introducing them to safe-guarding and reporting features and improving their critical thinking skills when it comes to appearance-based content”, Ms Rowlands said.  

eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said, “It is vital that we equip young people with the tools to protect themselves online into adulthood and we are pleased to have partnered with Butterfly on this effective program which fill an important gap in school-based education when it comes to body image and social media.” 

BodyKind Online Education will be available for schools in 2025. Register your interest today: http://www.butterfly.org.au/bko-edu  

This project was funded through the eSafety Commissioner’s Online Safety Grants Program. For online safety advice for all Australians, visit www.esafety.gov.au  

 -ENDS-  

Media Contacts  

About Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, prevention and early intervention programs, and by advocating for the needs of our community. 

About BodyKind Online Education

BodyKind Online Education is an innovative and engaging program, mapped to Australian curriculum, and developed by Butterfly with the support of an expert advisory group, youth advisory group and informed by an extensive literature review. The program was funded by the Federal Government’s Online Safety Grants program and evaluated by University of the Sunshine Coast. 

Editor and producers note

Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. 

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact: 

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).  

• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23 
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14