How Children and Teenagers are becoming obsessed with Beauty at an increasingly early Age

When Elementary School Children Watch Makeup Tutorials

Mirror-smooth skin, perfect lashes, flawless hair – the ideal of beauty is no longer measured only by models or actors. It’s everywhere. On Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, influencers perfect their looks with filters, beauty products, and procedures – and children and adolescents are no longer just silent spectators.

In recent years, a new trend has emerged: children aged six, seven, or eight put on makeup following tutorials, teenagers consider Botox treatments before they reach adulthood, and many question themselves because they cannot keep up with the perfect images on the internet.

What happens to a generation growing up with artificial perfection? And how can parents counteract this?

Beauty Craze in the Kids’ Room: Early Confrontation with Unrealistic Ideals

Children and adolescents have always had role models – whether cartoon characters, pop stars, or actors. But today’s beauty industry no longer stops at young target groups.

What’s different today:

• Filters and digital editing: What is sold as natural on social media is often digitally manipulated. Children and adolescents see perfection that doesn’t exist in reality.
• Child influencers and the Sephora Kids trend: Eight-year-olds showcasing high-end makeup receive millions of clicks – and thereby normalize early beauty routines.
• Plastic surgery as self-care: Lip fillers and Botox are portrayed as natural – with discounts for teenagers.
• Social media beauty challenges: Hashtags like #GlowUp or #PrettyPrivileged pressure young people to optimize their appearance.

Whereas children used to play carefree outdoors, today they know terms like contouring, nose correction, or facial rejuvenation.

“Mom, when can I get lip fillers?” – How early does the pressure begin?

Children and adolescents are highly receptive to external influences. They observe, imitate, and learn through role models. When beauty ideals are omnipresent, they eventually begin to question their own appearance.

Signs that your child is suffering from beauty pressure:

• Asks for mascara or lipstick at age seven.
• Says at eight years old that they are too fat or not pretty enough.
• Refuses photos because they feel ugly.
• Doesn’t want to wear shorts because their legs don’t look good.
• Uses beauty filters at age ten to feel better.
• Teenagers avoid the swimming pool because they don’t want to show their body.
• Teens put pressure on themselves to reach a certain weight or defined body shape.

Many parents underestimate how much children and adolescents already struggle with their appearance.

A British study found that already 42 percent of girls between the ages of six and ten are dissatisfied with their appearance. Among teenagers, the number increases further.

What does this do to young people who haven’t even fully developed their own identity?

Long-Term Effects: What Happens When Children and Adolescents Fall Into the Beauty Craze Early?

Young people are still malleable in their development – including mentally. Those who learn early that external perfection is above all else carry this mindset into adulthood.

• Poorer self-esteem: Children and adolescents who constantly compare themselves to unattainable beauty ideals often feel they are not good enough.
• Distorted body image: Dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance can lead to eating disorders or compulsive behavior.
• Greater susceptibility to cosmetic surgery: Those who learn early that beauty is achievable are more likely to resort to invasive methods later on.
• Consumer trap: Cosmetic companies earn billions with products that exploit insecurities – often at the expense of young people.
• Social isolation: Adolescents who feel uncomfortable with their appearance avoid social activities or withdraw.

And the worst part? Children and adolescents have no realistic chance to escape this.

How Can Parents Counteract This?

The good news is that parents still have a major influence on how their children think about beauty.

Contrast Reality with Illusion

Children and adolescents need to understand that what they see on social media is not real. Parents should explain that filters, Photoshop, and cosmetic procedures create the perfect appearance in the first place.

Emphasize Values Beyond Appearance

Instead of complimenting only looks, parents should highlight other qualities:

• I love how creative you are.
• You’re so helpful, I really appreciate that about you.
• Your way of questioning things is impressive.

Children and adolescents should learn that their worth doesn’t depend on their appearance.

Question Consumer Behavior

Do children really need expensive cosmetic products? Why does a nine-year-old need anti-aging creams? Parents should talk with their children and adolescents about marketing strategies that exploit insecurities to sell products.

Reflect on One’s Own Role Model Function

Parents who frequently criticize their own appearance or talk constantly about problem areas unconsciously pass on the same insecurities to their children. Young people adopt behaviors from their closest caregivers.

Critically Examine Media Role Models Together

Children and adolescents look up to idols – that’s normal. But in times of social media, beauty ideals are often shaped by filters, Photoshop, and cosmetic procedures.

Instead of seeking alternative role models, parents should consciously question what their children and adolescents see with them.

• Look at social media profiles together: Which images look perfect? Are there signs of filters or digital editing?
• Look for videos or before-and-after pictures: Many influencers now show how much makeup, lighting, and editing change their appearance.
• Ask questions instead of lecturing: Do you think this person looks the same in real life? Why do you think so many people use filters? How would you feel if you always compared yourself to such pictures?
• Look behind the scenes: Many pictures and videos aren’t spontaneous but deliberately staged. Parents can research together with their children and adolescents how much work goes into these supposedly perfect shots.

When children and adolescents understand that much of what they see is not real, they feel less pressure to conform to these unrealistic ideals.

Beauty Shouldn’t Be a Child’s Concern

Childhood and adolescence should be a time of growth – not of perfectionism. If elementary school children are interested in nose corrections and teenagers slip into eating disorders because they chase an ideal, society has failed.

Parents must actively intervene before insecurities become deep-seated complexes. Because true beauty begins where self-worth is not dependent on external ideals.