Campaign To "Unbrace Teen Confidence" Helps Parents Through The Awkward Teen Years In The Age Of Social Media

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raising happy, self-confident kids is the goal of every parent, but doing that in the age of social media has complicated an already challenging job. The makers of Invisalign Teen® clear aligners commissioned a survey with Kelton Global to better understand the psyche of teens and their moms and learned that social media can amplify common teen insecurities around appearance and peer pressure. Parenting expert and author Erika Katz has decoded the survey results in a free Interactive Pocket Guide to "Unbrace Teen Confidence" that shares information about what parents can do to help kids build a foundation of self-confidence.

"The Teen Confidence Survey looked at opinions of teens and moms around key teen issues like teasing, peer pressure and the impact acne, braces and body changes can have on teen self confidence," said Katz.  "The Invisalign Teen brand was looking to share the survey insights in a practical way that would help moms who are navigating these issues every day. I worked to apply what we learned to real-life parenting in an interactive format for parents to explore and apply to their own families."

The pocket guide and work with Katz signals a commitment by the Invisalign Teen brand of a longer-term vision to help teens, with the support of their parents, as they navigate their path to self-confidence.  As part of this effort, the brand is donating $1 for every click, share, and download of the Interactive Pocket Guide to DoSomething.org -- an organization that builds confidence in young people by creating opportunities for them to drive positive change.

"We realized that the Teen Confidence Study exposed some surprising and interesting facts that were important to share and explore further," said John Graham, CMO at Align Technology, Inc. The "Unbrace Teen Confidence" campaign aims to open up dialog between moms and their teens as we do our part to support the larger discussion among experts and organizations committed to instilling confidence in youth."

Teen Confidence Survey Highlights

The impact of social media:

• 54 percent of teens felt their life would be better without social media
• 40 percent feel their appearance is being judged more closely on social media than in person
• 87 percent regularly post selfies though 56 percent admit they worry about their appearance most days

Moms tend to think that typical issues are a normal part of being a teenager, while teens themselves report being much more impacted that mom's may realize:

• 94 percent of teens think their appearance influences their popularity
• 59 percent of teens believe not fitting in with their peers is embarrassing for kids their age vs. only 33 percent of moms who had the same experiences when they were teens
• 57 percent of teens are embarrassed to have crooked teeth vs. only 23 percent of moms

Braces are a particular area of sensitivity for teens; Invisalign Teen treatment may offer relief for teens:

• 41 percent of teens feel wearing traditional braces is embarrassing; only 18 percent of moms agree
• 92 percent of teens say that wearing metal braces would keep them from fitting in with their peers
• Teens wearing Invisalign Teen clear aligners are 68 percent more likely to be teased less often than those wearing metal braces
• While in treatment, it is two times more likely for teens using Invisalign Teen clear aligners to experience a boost in self esteem than teens wearing traditional braces

"The Teen Confidence Survey revealed the impact that technology can have on our kids – both positive and negative," said Katz. "While social media is increasing already sensitive areas around developing bodies and common issues like crooked teeth and acne, technology is also giving moms options for taking some of these things off the table through modern treatment solutions like Invisalign Teen clear aligners that straighten teeth without a mouth full of metal."

The Invisalign Teen Confidence survey polled 3,577 US teenagers ages 13-17 and 2,118 US mothers of teens ages 13-17, plus an oversample of 101 mothers of teens ages 13-17 who wear or have worn Invisalign clear aligners, using an e-mail invitation and online survey between June 19^th and July 17^th, 2014.  Complete view of survey findings can be accessed here.

About Align Technology, Inc., Makers of the Invisalign® Clear Aligner System

Adults and teens now have a modern choice for straightening their teeth. No more wires and brackets required – Invisalign and Invisalign Teen aligners are the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include: no food restrictions, no interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing they are in treatment. Learn more at www.invisalignteen.com and find a trained Invisalign doctor at www.invisalign.com.

All Invisalign products are designed, manufactured and marketed by Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN). Today the Invisalign product family includes Invisalign Full, Invisalign Teen®, Invisalign Assist®, Invisalign Express and Vivera® Retainers. Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc. Align Technology develops innovative, technology-rich products such as the Invisalign treatment systems and the iTero® scanner and services. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

About Kelton Global

Kelton Global is an insights and strategy consultancy serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations. Utilizing a wide range of customized, innovative research techniques and staff expertise in marketing, branding, PR, media, and business strategy, Kelton helps drive our clients' businesses forward. For more information about Kelton please call 1.888.8.KELTON or visit www.keltonglobal.com.

About DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org makes the world suck less. One of the largest global orgs for young people and social change, our 3.7 million members tackle campaigns that impact every cause, from poverty to bullying to the environment to literally everything else. Any cause, anytime, anywhere.*mic drop

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SOURCE Invisalign Teen