Social media has changed the way young people connect with others and express themselves. It has also changed the way they learn. One unfortunate side effect of this has been the way harmful messages about bodies, food, and appearance take root and thrive in an online ecosystem that changes at a pace which parents and caregivers find difficult to keep up with.
Over the past year, conversations about “SkinnyTok”—a corner of social media that promotes extreme thinness and unhealthy weight-loss messaging—have become increasingly common. While platforms have taken steps to remove some harmful content, concerns remain about how algorithms can repeatedly expose vulnerable users to material that reinforces body dissatisfaction and disordered behaviors.
So what, for parents, is the solution? Panicking and attempts to ban social media altogether are not necessarily realistic, and can rupture trust. Instead, the goal is to understand how these platforms work, recognize when content may be affecting your child, and create an environment where they feel comfortable talking about what they’re seeing online.
What is “SkinnyTok”?
As described by the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, “SkinnyTok” is a side of social media that idolizes extreme thinness. While much of this content appears on TikTok, similar material exists across Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and other platforms. The content isn’t always obvious. It may look like wellness advice, fitness motivation, “healthy eating” tips, or “what I eat in a day” videos. Some creators frame restrictive behaviors as discipline, and as for self-improvement and health promotion, rather than recognizing them as potentially harmful. In a world that is rife with weight stigma, these lines can be easily blurred.
Algorithms can and do quickly learn what captures a user’s attention, which means watching one or two body-focused videos—or simply lingering on them for a few extra seconds—often quite rapidly leads to more of the same content appearing, and in increasing amounts. For young people who are already struggling with self-esteem, anxiety, perfectionism, or body image concerns, this can create an online environment that continually reinforces the message that thinner is better.
Adolescent Development, Mental Health, and Social Media
Adolescence is a period of significant neurological and cognitive development, during which young people begin to form a clearer sense of who they are while at the same time, gradually becoming more independent from their caregivers. As autonomy increases, so does the freedom to make decisions about day-to-day activities—what to eat, how time is spent, and where to turn for information and advice. making young people more sensitive to peer feedback and social comparison.
Social media is now woven into that developmental process, exposing young people to a continuous stream of messages about food and bodies that can shape how they see themselves. Simply put, it is not a neutral environment. In addition to the alarms being rung by eating disorder specialists, concerns have been raised by mental health organizations and pediatric experts about the impact of appearance-focused content on young people. Nearly half (46%) of adolescents ages 13–17 also report that social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.
Eating disorders develop through a complex interaction of many factors. Social media is only one piece of that picture, intermingling with genetic vulnerability, personality traits, psychological factors, family and social environments, and broader cultural influences. For young people, repeated exposure to appearance-focused messaging can reinforce distorted beliefs about food, weight, and self-worth. For those living with an active eating disorder—or working toward recovery—those messages can intensify symptoms and make the recovery process even more difficult.
Supporting Teens Online
Most parents cannot—and should not—monitor every little thing their teen encounters online. As kids become more independent, they naturally spend more time making decisions without a parent looking over their shoulder. That shift makes ongoing communication a valuable skill. When parents create space for honest conversations, they are better equipped to step in early if concerns arise. With that also comes a need to understand how social media works, and an ability to recognize changes in their teen’s behavior that may indicate there is a maladaptive relationship with social media
Recognizing Early Warning Signs
Changes in behavior are often the first indication that something is shifting beneath the surface. Paying attention to differences from a teen’s usual patterns can help identify concerns before they become more significant. Some signs to watch for include:
- Becoming increasingly preoccupied with weight, body shape, appearance, or the pursuit of weight loss.
- An intense interest in healthy or “clean” eating and meal planning that becomes increasingly rigid over time.
- Frequently engaging in appearance-based comparisons with people they encounter on social media.
- Feeling noticeably worse about themselves after spending time on social media.
- Eliminating entire food groups, skipping meals, or adopting increasingly restrictive eating rules.
- Developing an interest in supplements or detox products.
- Becoming invested in online wellness trends or seeking nutrition advice from influencers rather than credible sources.
- Exercising in a way that feels compulsive, or experiencing guilt or distress when unable to exercise.
- Withdrawing from family meals or other situations involving food.
- Becoming unusually secretive about social media use, creating multiple accounts, or hiding online activity.
These changes are not intended to be used as a checklist for diagnosing an eating disorder, but they can serve as opportunities to pause, become curious, and begin a conversation. Open communication creates opportunities for teens to share what they are seeing online and how it is affecting them. Approaching those conversations with genuine interest and a willingness to listen can make it easier for them to speak openly about experiences they may not have brought up on their own. Broader, non-judgmental questions can help open the door:
“What kinds of videos have been showing up on your feed lately?”
“Do you ever notice certain posts affecting how you feel about yourself?”
“Who are some creators you enjoy following? What do you like about them?”
“Have you come across anything online lately that made you think differently about your body?”
“Are there any accounts that make you feel good about yourself? What do you like about them?”
“What do you think social media gets wrong about health or body image?”
“When you see those kinds of posts, what goes through your mind?”
Helping teens understand how algorithms work can also strengthen media literacy. Their feeds are personalized based on what captures their attention and keeps them engaged, meaning repeated exposure can make certain messages feel far more common or widely accepted than they really are. Another way to support a healthier online experience is by encouraging a wider variety of content. Following creators with different body types, interests, professions, and perspectives can help broaden the messages young people encounter, reducing the pressure created by feeds dominated by appearance-focused or diet-related content.
The Conversation Around Social Media Is Changing
Social media is unlikely to disappear from our lives. The messages that adolescents and teens encounter online can influence how they see themselves, but they don’t have to define them. The goal for parents and loved ones is to be helping young people develop the skills to engage with those messages thoughtfully and critically.
There is reason for cautious optimism. Growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health have led to increased public scrutiny of technology companies. In March 2026, Meta—the parent company of Facebook and Instagram—was found liable in litigation related to the harmful effects of its platforms on young users, bringing renewed attention to the ways social media platforms recommend content and the responsibility technology companies have in protecting young people.
Families should remember that social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement. Protecting emotional well-being is not the primary objective of the systems that determine what content users see. Understanding how these platforms operate, continuing conversations about what teens encounter online, and seeking additional support when concerns arise can help young people build a healthier relationship with social media and with themselves.
Author:
Clinic Director
