THESE days, it feels like pop culture is everywhere - it’s in our playlists, our socials, our group chats, and even the way we talk about beauty, power and confidence.

For teenage girls especially, it plays a huge role in shaping how they see themselves and how they understand big ideas like feminism and identity.

On the surface, it can feel like we’re living in a super “empowered” era - one where girls are encouraged to be bold, expressive and unapologetically themselves. But when you take a closer look, things can get a little confusing.

Take, for example, the recent buzz around Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album cover or Sydney Sweeney’s quirky soap stunt. They’re meant to be playful, confident - maybe even funny.

Celebrities often say it’s just self-expression. But for a lot of girls watching, it’s not that simple.

These moments reflect a bigger pattern in pop culture, where the line between empowerment and objectification gets blurred.

It raises important questions: if feminism today looks a lot like traditional beauty standards and the male gaze, is it still feminism? Or is it just a new way of packaging the same old pressures?

That’s the tension so many girls feel right now. Modern feminism tells them that they’re free to be whoever they want, but pop culture often seems to reward one specific version of “empowered”: the polished, confident, conventionally attractive girl who’s “not afraid to be sexy”.

And when you scroll through social media and see that version over and over again, it can start to feel like a requirement. So while the message is “you do you”, it often feels like there’s only one version of “you” that gets celebrated.

Social media platforms make this even more intense. Girls aren’t just watching celebrities anymore - they’re also part of the same platforms, using the same tools to present themselves. They scroll through feeds full of pop stars and influencers, and then turn the camera on themselves.

When empowerment is always shown as glamorous, sexy or brandable, it’s easy to start thinking you have to look like that to be confident, too.

Of course, pop culture isn’t all that bad. There are plenty of artistes and creators who are using their platforms to talk about real stuff like mental health, body image, racism and more.

Seeing diverse people and stories in music, film and media can absolutely help girls feel seen, understood and inspired. That kind of representation matters - it can expand the definition of what strength and beauty look like.

But it’s also true that even “empowering” messages can feel shallow when they’re being used to sell something. When “girl power” becomes just a catchphrase to sell albums or products, it loses its deeper meaning.

True empowerment should be about choice, voice and freedom - not just posing a certain way or fitting into a trend.

When the same polished, hyper-feminine image keeps getting praised as the definition of “confident”, it can feel like girls are being boxed in - even when it’s presented as freedom.

So what can girls do? The most important thing is to stay curious and critical.

Ask questions: Who benefits from this image? Who’s being left out? Does it truly reflect real-life diversity and strength, or just a marketable version of it?

Media literacy - understanding how media works and how it influences us - is one of the best tools young people have to push back.

At the end of the day, pop culture is powerful. It helps shape how we see ourselves and others.

But girls don’t have to accept every version of feminism they’re handed. Real empowerment doesn’t have to be loud or flashy. It can be quiet, messy, strong and real - all on your own terms.

Gloria, 24, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper- in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/ niebrats.

With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.

1 Choose a song that feels empowering - one that inspires confidence, strength, or staying true to yourself. Share your pick with the class and explain why. Then, vote on a favourite and sing it together!

2  In groups of four, brainstorm traits of real power. Create an Empowerment Poster using key words, phrases or drawings. Finally, present your poster to the class.

The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.