Younger and younger children are using social media platforms. According to ofcom, a media use report created in 2022, stated that “A majority of children under 13 had their own profile on at least one social media app or site.” One of the leading social media platforms is TikTok. A popular type of video among TikTok influencers is the makeup tutorial. These tutorials are leading younger girls into bad habits.

TikTok is where the makeup habit begins. Children can be inspired to wear makeup by seeing others wear it, so they feel they need to do so as well. From time to time, children, such as younger girls, can become insecure about what they see on the internet, especially regarding makeup. They see all of these social media models online and feel that they're ugly and may start comparing their looks to the models. Then they start applying all kinds of makeup to them to make them feel pretty, but even then, it can feel like it’s never enough.

Nowadays, when walking into a popular cosmetics shop, such as Ulta Beauty, elementary and middle school girls buy a handful of expensive makeup products with their parents' approval. Once kids wear makeup, it can become repetitive or lead to increasingly severe insecurities. From late elementary to late middle school, insecurity is at its highest. Girls at this age are more worried about living up to unrealistic standards that they don't value their natural beauty. Seeing TikTok models do makeup leads young girls to think that they have to wear makeup to fit in and be pretty, when those videos are more for older people. These videos do not help with self-confidence.

Many young girls should recognize these unrealistic expectations and take time away from social media. Parents should place stricter restrictions on social media and spend more time on family activities with their children to encourage them to focus on their natural beauty rather than unrealistic standards. Most middle school children should not have social media or be influenced by it.

Though being insecure is normal, kids shouldn't worry about not being beautiful or about not fitting in, especially when they haven't yet reached the stage of mind where they feel compelled to conform to social standards. Makeup is a key to insecurity and children and students should recognize their inner beauty and get off of social media, which makes them feel insecure.