Scientific evidence supports that adolescents and preteens should not have free access to social networks.
This statement is supported by various studies, such as
Windows of developmental sensitivity to social networks
, published in 2022 in
Nature Communications,
or the one entitled
Association of habitual control behaviors in social networks with longitudinal functional brain development
, published in 2023 by the American Psychological Society.
Both investigations indicate that exposure to these platforms can alter both the emotional well-being and neuronal development of minors between the ages of 12 and 18.
But these are not the only reasons to limit their access to networks.
To these we can add the ability of minors to be influenced by what they see, for example, of other adolescents, who have recently become
influencers.
That is one of the consequences of the appearance, especially on TikTok, of girls aged 15 or 18 (but also 10 and 12) recommending cosmetics, creams and makeup to an audience of just 10 years old.
More information
Pygmalion Effect: when the expectations of fathers and mothers are not those of their children
This situation has created a new mental health disorder in pubescent girls:
cosmeticorexia
.
That is, the excessive interest in the use of cosmetics and facial care products, often harmful to such young skin.
“It is surprising to observe in the consultation the number of adolescents who have introduced a large number of products into their daily cosmetic routine,” says Elia Roó, dermatologist and member of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
As she explains, the misuse of these products is due to the fact that teenagers do not usually consult a dermatologist, but rather are guided by social networks and use cosmetics intended for adult skin.
“The consequence is that they come to the consultation due to irritative dermatitis caused by products with high concentrations of active ingredients, such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acids, which they do not know how to use, or due to an excess of comedogenic cosmetic products and makeup [that produce excess oil]. ] that make their acne worse,” he explains.
“The use of creams and serums with this type of ingredients, useful for preventing aging, can lead the skin to develop dermatological pathologies (dermatitis, skin irritations or even sun intolerance) in the medium term, because the skin of a teenager of 13 or 14 years old only needs good cleansing, hydration and always adding a sunscreen in their routine,” says Pilar Pérez Rivas, director of the master's degree in Cosmetic Formulation and Dermopharmacy at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).
“However,” Pérez continues, “in recent years we have seen a significant increase in these cases of girls completely addicted to makeup and cosmetics, which is given by the recommendations of
influencers
.”
These are the dermatological consequences.
But there are also when it comes to emotional well-being.
“Putting the essence of happiness in aesthetics is already a very serious educational error.
But if, in addition, we add the disproportionate and increasing need to use products to feel beautiful and be liked by others (which is what it's all about), it starts to be a problem," says child and family psychologist Mara Cuadrado. .
This situation worsens when they become
influencers.
“Many girls and adolescents, when they have a significant number of followers on their networks, find themselves trapped in a virtual world where they lose not only their childhood, but also control of themselves,” she adds.
Cuadrado explains that it is at that moment when anxiety problems begin: "Other additional problems are even generated, such as possible eating disorders or school absenteeism problems, since they put making their videos before any other academic or family activity."
The use of certain creams and serums can have dermatological effects on younger skin.FatCamera (Getty Images)
On the other hand, being people in the process of growth, they are more vulnerable to what enters their eyes.
“When they open their networks every day, they are impacted by these publications and these
reels
in which images of perfect girls appear and they become convinced that they must also transmit that perfection.
And that becomes a problem,” says Pérez.
This university professor adds that we must be especially careful with minors with low self-esteem: “As well as with girls with a certain addiction to technology, who want to be popular at all costs or who dream of perfect skin and perfect hair.” .
In any case, according to Cuadrado, we must differentiate the behavior of rehearsing adult roles (little girls who occasionally take their mother's nail polish to paint their own) from the minor ones that make cosmetics and beauty products an addiction. : they have to show off with them, they have to influence their followers or friends;
and, sometimes, they cannot go out or go to school without their daily beauty routine.
Prevention, in the hands of parents
Limiting the use of technology, encouraging them to have a good self-image, preventing them from wanting to belong to the adult world so quickly, educating them about image protection and teaching them alternative ways to technology as leisure are, for Cuadrado, some of the weapons with which those that parents tell to try to avoid
cosmeticorexia
.
"Although it cannot be avoided that when adolescence arrives they become more interested in their appearance, especially when they begin to have problems with acne or oily hair," this psychologist emphasizes.
“That is when they look for solutions and sometimes become obsessed with these types of proposals that promise the unattainable,” she continues.
“That's why it's so important to remind them that not everything you see online is true,” Pérez also recommends.
Cuadrado explains that the best way to help these young women is to talk to them about the need that this obsession responds to: “Behind these excesses there is usually loneliness, girls who spend too much time alone in a room, without adults to interact with them. ”.
The psychologist adds that these minors also often feel insecurity, uncontrolled desires to influence others or to be admired, recognized and accepted.
This expert recommends that fathers and mothers look for a psychology professional who can help their daughters to like themselves as they are, to not need followers, to cultivate good humor, intelligence or family and social relationships: “And, for Of course, go to a dermatologist to help them with skin problems and not to an esthetician.”
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