Recently, on my podcast with psychologist Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, she made a point that stuck with me: many girls are losing sleep to wake early for makeup and beauty routines. I hadn’t fully considered how this affects their rest and well-being.
Another growing concern is how young girls, some as young as 7 or 8, are becoming fixated on beauty products particularly through viewing beauty routines or GRWM (Get Ready With Me) content from similarly young creators on platforms like TikTok or YouTube.
In Screenagers Elementary School Age Edition, we show clips of elementary-aged girls talking excitedly about their favorite skin and makeup items. This beauty obsession is reaching younger ages, fueled by pervasive beauty ideals on social media.
New research from Northwestern University, led by Dr. Molly Hales, examined 100 TikTok beauty routine videos by creators ages 7 to 18. Findings included:
As a doctor, I treat young people with irritated skin, and as a mom, I’m alarmed. Peer-driven beauty content, amplified by social media, is shaping how kids see themselves. The pressure to achieve a certain look is relentless, unattainable, and a toxic cycle.
Here are ways to start meaningful, nonjudgmental conversations:
Try to understand what your child is feeling from their perspective.
To get there, ask open-ended questions like:
You might want to share an equivalent experience from your own childhood - for example, seeing beauty tips in a teen magazine.
Watch this short clip from Screenagers: Elementary School Edition together. It features young kids showcasing their skincare and makeup routines and their excitement for brands like Sephora or Evereden. This can be a powerful springboard for a shared conversation.
Reference Dr. Hale’s TikTok study, noting that many products include ingredients that can irritate young (or any) skin. Explain how rashes or reactions may be linked to these products, something that kids might not realize on their own.
Brainstorm together:
Even if your child doesn’t change their habits immediately, this kind of dialogue plants seeds. This is about nurturing critical thinking. When we show curiosity and calmly share our thoughts — without blame — we make little inroads.
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Recently, on my podcast with psychologist Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, she made a point that stuck with me: many girls are losing sleep to wake early for makeup and beauty routines. I hadn’t fully considered how this affects their rest and well-being.
Another growing concern is how young girls, some as young as 7 or 8, are becoming fixated on beauty products particularly through viewing beauty routines or GRWM (Get Ready With Me) content from similarly young creators on platforms like TikTok or YouTube.
In Screenagers Elementary School Age Edition, we show clips of elementary-aged girls talking excitedly about their favorite skin and makeup items. This beauty obsession is reaching younger ages, fueled by pervasive beauty ideals on social media.
New research from Northwestern University, led by Dr. Molly Hales, examined 100 TikTok beauty routine videos by creators ages 7 to 18. Findings included:
As a doctor, I treat young people with irritated skin, and as a mom, I’m alarmed. Peer-driven beauty content, amplified by social media, is shaping how kids see themselves. The pressure to achieve a certain look is relentless, unattainable, and a toxic cycle.
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