TikTok’s Impact on Preteens
Gen Alpha’s Obsession with Skincare: A Disturbing Trend
In a now-viral TikTok video, former Sephora employee Rianna Smith recounted the time a nine-year-old walked into her store looking for Babyfacial, a chemical exfoliant from the high-end brand Drunk Elephant marketed to minimize “the look of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
Smith asked the child whether she had used a chemical exfoliant in the past, to which the child responded that she uses the Ordinary Peeling Solution, an anti-aging acid peel, “daily.” According to Smith, this wasn’t a unique experience, revealing that while working at Sephora she encountered “15-year-olds… com[ing] in with chemical burns” caused by harsh skincare products.
The consensus among dermatologists is clear: expensive, intense anti-aging skincare is not good for children. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr. Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, warned that many of these cosmetics, such as retinol, another anti-aging product, not only can “cause irritation” for children but could also “damage the skin down the line.”
“It is a good idea to start a skincare regime from a teenager, but the products used should be aimed at not just your skin type but also age-appropriate,” said Ross.
Anti-aging retinoids and chemical exfoliants for children sound utterly absurd on their face, but dermatologists are having to step in and clarify the obvious for one reason: influencers.
More chronically online than even Gen Z, Gen Alpha, or the iPad generation, is uniquely susceptible to social media consumerism. Twenty-year-old influencers with beauty brand deals go TikTok and Instagram viral showing off their skincare routines and OOTDs (outfit of the day), causing their impressionable preteen followers to act, look, and shop like young adults.
In one TikTok, a mother recorded her daughters showing her what’s on their “Christmas wish list” at Sephora, which included luxury fragrances and a $68 Drunk Elephant moisturizer.
Emulating older influencers, the internet is now replete with young children showing off their pricey “Sephora hauls” and complex skincare routines. The children also use influencer mannerisms and speech patterns, which are known colloquially as “YouTube voice,” an indication of just how much time Gen Alpha is spending online.
Another example of Gen Alpha’s disturbing susceptibility to TikTok marketing is the Stanley cup craze. Parents across America reported that this year their pubescent girls weren’t asking for paints or dolls, but a Stanley cup, which The Federalist’s Kylee Griswold aptly describes as a “gargantuan stainless steel, insulated tumbler that yoga pants-wearing millennials the world over tote around like it’s their precious young.”
Griswold correctly observes that the Stanley mania is a symptom of “cultural consumerist rot.” It’s “a social media-fueled frenzy to convince the mindlessly scrolling mob that some random beverage doodad is something they ‘must have,’” she writes.
For young people, however, the issue is deeper and far more problematic. Technology has made it possible for parents to constantly have their children entertained. Instead of allowing kids to be bored and therefore cultivate creativity, parents are instinctively putting an iPad or television in front of their kids’ faces.
Generation Alpha is completely skipping over normal childhood and experiences, desires, and interests. Meanwhile, tween clothing stores like Justice and Limited Too are things of the past.
In our post-industrial internet age, there have always been concerns that children are growing up too fast. But with Gen Alpha, it’s accelerated to the point where even Gen Z professional influencers have taken pause and conceded that Gen Alpha’s behavior is concerning. “We play a role in the problem,” admitted one TikToker.
In the classic chick flick “13 Going on 30,” what 13-year-old fictional character Jenna Rink wants most in the world is to be “30 and flirty and thriving.” “I don’t want to be original,” she tells her mother. “I want to be cool.” Jenna rejects her personality quirks, unique interests, and even her “uncool” friends because she wants to “fit in” and be like the adult women she sees in magazines.
Miraculously, with the help of some “magic wishing dust,” Jenna’s dream comes true, and she wakes up as a 30-year-old. But what she realizes is that being 30 isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and the lifestyle and beauty trends she was pining after as a 13-year-old weren’t only beyond her years but were vapid and depressing. “You want to be a grown-up, and then when you’re a grown-up, you want to be a kid again,” she says toward the end of the movie.
Ultimately, Jenna goes back to being 13, understanding how precious childhood is and with a greater appreciation for wholesome, natural beauty.
Unfortunately, we can’t give all the Drunk Elephant-using Gen Alpha girls magic wishing dust to make them suddenly value childhood. There is a generation of young people who will be stunted adults. Their innocence is being stolen, and their individuality and creativity are not being cultivated because all they have ever learned to care about is what’s trending on TikTok.
What are the dangers and potential long-term effects of young children using intense anti-aging skincare products that are not suitable for their age?
Growing up in a world where technology and social media play a significant role in their lives. They are more connected and exposed to information and influencers than any previous generation. While this level of connectivity has its benefits, it also presents challenges, one of which is the obsession with skincare among young children.
In a viral TikTok video, a former Sephora employee recalled an incident where a nine-year-old walked into the store looking for an anti-aging chemical exfoliant. This incident is not an isolated case. The employee mentioned encountering 15-year-olds with chemical burns caused by harsh skincare products. Dermatologists agree that expensive and intense anti-aging skincare is not suitable for children.
Dr. Ross Perry, a medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, warns that certain skincare products, such as retinol, can cause irritation and potentially damage the skin in the long run. He emphasizes the importance of using age-appropriate products that cater to both skin type and age.
The shift towards obsessive skincare routines among children can be attributed to influencers and the influence they have on social media platforms. Gen Alpha, the generation born after Gen Z, spends a significant amount of time online and is highly susceptible to social media consumerism. Influencers with beauty brand deals showcase their skincare routines, influencing their young followers to act, look, and shop like young adults.
The internet is now flooded with young children showing off their expensive Sephora hauls and complex skincare routines, imitating the mannerisms and speech patterns of influencers. These children spend a considerable amount of time online, emulating their favorite influencers and idolizing their beauty routines.
This trend is concerning because it showcases the impact of social media on young children and their perception of beauty. Rather than embracing their youth and focusing on age-appropriate activities, they are being influenced to adopt adult skincare routines and fashion trends.
Another example of Gen Alpha’s susceptibility to TikTok marketing is the Stanley cup craze. Parents have reported that their pubescent girls are more interested in acquiring a Stanley cup, a stainless steel tumbler, rather than traditional toys. This reflects the influence of social media and the power of viral trends.
It is crucial for parents to be aware of the impact social media has on their children and to instill proper values and limits. Instead of constantly entertaining their children with technology, parents should encourage creativity and allow for periods of boredom. This will help children develop their own interests and hobbies, instead of imitating influencer culture.
In conclusion, the obsession with skincare among Gen Alpha is a disturbing trend that is influenced by social media and influencers. Children are emulating adult skincare routines and imitating influencer mannerisms, perpetuating a culture of consumerism and unrealistic beauty standards. It is essential for parents to recognize and address the impact of social media on their children’s values and behaviors and to foster a healthy relationship with technology.
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