If you see it on your child’s phone, #SkinnyTok refers to a corner of TikTok centered on extreme thinness, restrictive dieting and unrealistic body standards. Experts warn that the trend can be particularly harmful for tweens, teens and young adults, who may be more vulnerable to messages connecting appearance with self-worth.
Some videos promote eating less, exercising excessively or treating thinness as a measure of discipline. “When people see the impossible goals set by #SkinnyTok videos…it makes them feel inadequate,” eating-disorders expert Heather Rosen, PhD, told Parents.
The concern extends beyond simply feeling unhappy about appearance. Exposure to unhealthy social-media content has been associated with a greater risk of disordered eating, while researchers say young women and girls can be particularly vulnerable.
Why Banning #SkinnyTok Didn’t Make It Disappear
TikTok moved to restrict #SkinnyTok after concerns that the hashtag was promoting unhealthy weight loss and unrealistic body images. However, removing one hashtag doesn’t necessarily remove the underlying content or the algorithms that can continue recommending similar videos.
Researchers describe social media as a difficult environment to regulate because creators can quickly change terminology. “As soon as there is an attempt for platforms to regulate or thwart a hashtag, anyone using the platform is gonna develop a workaround,” Cornell researcher Brooke Erin Duffy told NPR.
That means parents may want to look beyond a specific hashtag when talking with kids. Videos framed as “wellness,” fitness or “what I eat in a day” content can still reinforce restrictive eating or unrealistic expectations without ever using #SkinnyTok.
How Parents Can Encourage a Positive Body Image
Parents don’t have to lecture children about every troubling video they encounter. The Kids Mental Health Foundation recommends focusing on acceptance, strengths and what bodies can do rather than placing attention on appearance.
One useful strategy is to model the behavior parents want their children to develop. Avoid criticizing your own body or other people’s appearances, and instead talk about bodies in terms of their abilities and functions.
Parents can also help children become critical consumers of social media by discussing unrealistic beauty standards and asking questions about what they see online. If a child expresses persistent distress about their body, eating or weight, listening without judgment and seeking professional support can provide an important next step.
