What 'Encanto' Can Teach Teens About Social Media

Disney’s 60th animated motion picture, Encanto, is a musical following a Colombian family, the Madrigals, who through the trauma of displacement gained special powers which they use to assist their community. Mirabel, our 15-year-old protagonist, is the only member of the Madrigals without powers, which makes her the odd one out. Mirabel is often cast aside, told to stay out of the way, and left out in the family. Though she tries to use positive self-talk at the beginning of the movie—“Gift or no gift, I am just as special as the rest of my family"—Mirabel’s sense of self-worth and belonging is diminished because she does not have powers. She is average.

The impact of social media

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports that teenagers spend up to 9 hours a day on screens. Young people are pushed more and more to be special and extraordinary. Previously, the drive to be special was fueled by exceptionalism and competition: You have to be the best student, best athlete, best test-taker, to get into a “good” college or get the “best” job. Now, the push to be special is reinformed by social media, because the people teenagers look up to and are exposed to are labeled as such.

Small surveys conducted across the globe have indicated the top career aspirations for young people were entertainment careers, particularly being a YouTuber. Young people can measure their “specialness” by the number of followers or views they receive. The assumption is that these influencers or popular social media stars are worthy because they are famous or special, as demonstrated by their following, which is curated carefully through posed pictures, filters, and timed posts.

Pressure

When we measure our worth by achievements and standing out, we can easily find ourselves with decreased self-esteem and self-worth, which can lead to a depressed mood. Research has consistently demonstrated a relationship between social media use and negative self-esteem. Teens who are consuming this media and posting this curated perfection can experience pressure, like a drip, drip, drip that’ll never stop.

These images and messaging can inadvertently communicate that your mere existence is not good enough if it is not perfect. Luisa, Mirabel’s sister, had the gift of super strength. Luisa states, “I’m pretty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of service.” When we can release the pressure and be OK with who we are, we create more room for joy.

Self-appreciation

Through self-exploration and allowing themselves to be fully themselves, the Madrigals were able to examine the effects this pressure to perfect and special had on them. The added stress, anxiety, and depression that came from this pressure took a toll on this family. The Madrigals were forced to look inward and outward. They were creating their own pressure, but this was also exacerbated by the family matriarch, Abuela.

Once Abuela was forced to see how her expectations were impacting her family, she was able to remember what truly matters. Her family members are important to her simply for existing. Mirabel is “just as special as the rest of her family”: Her existence is a gift.