Raising Confident Kids: Building Self-Esteem in a Media-Driven World

Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Illawarra

In today’s media-driven world, children and teens are surrounded by constant messages about who they should be, what they should look like, and how success is defined. This pressure can deeply affect their self-esteem and shape unrealistic ideas about themselves. To help parents navigate these challenges, parenting and family wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine from Win Win Parenting joined the studio to share practical strategies for raising confident and resilient young people.

During the conversation, Dr Rosina explains the important difference between self-esteem and self-confidence: self-esteem is about who you are, while self-confidence is about what you can do. She shares stories, including her own childhood experience of being “over-confident,” to highlight why it’s important for children to accurately evaluate their abilities while still developing a strong sense of self-worth. The discussion also explores how social media and constant comparison with others can negatively impact young people’s self-image and mental health.

Most importantly, the audio dives into what parents can do at home to make a real difference. From encouraging effort over outcomes, to teaching children how to handle mistakes with resilience, Dr Rosina offers practical, down-to-earth strategies to support healthy development. Tune in to the full conversation to discover how you can nurture your child’s confidence and self-esteem in a world full of pressure and comparison.