What Parents Need to Know About SkinnyTok, the Disturbing Diet Trend Spreading on TikTok

If your child spends time on TikTok, there’s a good chance they’ve seen videos under hashtags like #SkinnyTok—clips showing “what I eat in a day,” extreme low-calorie diets, body check videos, or aesthetic montages focused on thinness. At first glance, this content may seem harmless or even motivational. But behind the trendy music and carefully edited visuals lies a deeply harmful trend that can quietly affect your child’s mental and physical well-being.

The SkinnyTok community often promotes unrealistic body standards and encourages extreme weight loss. Many of these videos glorify restrictive eating, excessive exercise, and the idea that being thin is the only path to success or self-worth. And because TikTok’s algorithm learns from what users watch, teens can easily be drawn into a steady stream of this content—often without realizing how harmful it is.

In this article, we’ll break down what SkinnyTok really is, how it can impact your child, signs they may be affected, and practical steps you can take to help them stay safe—without shaming them or taking away their independence.

What is "SkinnyTok"?

"SkinnyTok" is a corner of TikTok where users post content related to being thin or trying to lose weight. It often includes:

• "What I eat in a day" videos showing very low-calorie meals
• Clips comparing body shapes or showing off weight loss
• "Body check" videos where users turn or pose to highlight thinness
• Food diaries, fasting routines, or calorie tracking
• Thinspo (thin inspiration) images or soundtracks

The underlying message of these videos is often the same: being skinny equals being beautiful, successful, or worthy. And if you're not thin, it's your own fault. It uses slogans like "Your stomach isn't growling—it's applauding you." "To be small, eat small. To be big, eat big." "You don't need a treat. You're not a dog."

For teenagers still figuring out who they are, this message can be incredibly damaging—especially when it's repeated over and over by people they admire or want to be like. Doctors now see SkinnyTok as a modern reboot of the 2000s "pro-ana" communities—just wrapped in trendy music and glossy edits. It glorifies starvation and treats food as a utility, with no regard for health.

Related: The TikTok Blackout Challenge: How to Protect Children

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with Body Image or Disordered Eating

It's not always obvious when something's wrong. But if your child has been watching SkinnyTok or similar content, you might notice small changes at first—how they talk about food, how they look at themselves in the mirror, or how often they're on their phone.

Here are some signs that could suggest your child is struggling with body image or slipping into disordered eating habits:

• Avoiding meals or suddenly eating much less
• Making strict food rules, like only eating "clean" or skipping entire food groups
• Spending more time alone, especially around mealtimes or after eating
• Becoming fixated on calorie counting, "earning food" through exercise, or labeling foods as "bad"
• Making negative comments about their body or comparing themselves to influencers or friends
• Wearing oversized clothes to hide their shape
• Spending more time in the bathroom after meals (which could suggest purging or distress)
• Repeatedly checking their appearance in mirrors or photos
• Talking more about workouts, weight goals, or body "progress"

You might also notice emotional shifts—your child seeming more withdrawn, anxious, or irritable. They may no longer enjoy social situations, especially if food is involved.

If they begin judging or commenting on other people's bodies more often, that's also a red flag. It can mean they've absorbed toxic ideas from social media about what's "acceptable" or "beautiful."

Every child is different, and not all signs point to a serious issue. But if you spot a pattern, it's worth having a gentle, non-judgmental conversation and reaching out for support. The earlier you step in, the better the chances of helping them build a healthy relationship with food and their body.

Related: What Parents Need to Know. How Safe is TikTok for Children?

How to Talk to Your Child About SkinnyTok

You don't need to panic or forbid TikTok altogether. What helps most is starting a calm, open conversation—one that shows you're listening, not judging.

Teenagers today are surrounded by messages about body image, health, and what's considered "ideal." Many of those messages are unrealistic or even harmful. Talking about SkinnyTok is a chance to help your child make sense of what they're seeing online—and to remind them that they're not alone.

Here's how to approach it:

Start with curiosity, not control

Instead of asking, "Are you watching those toxic SkinnyTok videos?" try something like:

"I've heard there's a lot of content on TikTok about dieting and body image. Have you seen any of that? What do you think about it?"

Or,

"I noticed you've been watching a lot of health and fitness videos lately. How are you feeling about your body these days?"

This opens the door for a real conversation. Let your child share their thoughts without jumping in to fix or correct them right away.

Focus on culture, not just their behavior

Rather than pointing the finger at your child's choices, focus on the messages that are being pushed online.

"Some of these videos make it seem like exercise is only about earning food, or that eating is something to feel guilty about. That worries me. How do you feel when you see that?"

This shifts the focus from "what they're doing wrong" to "what the culture is getting wrong"—and that's an easier starting point.

Share your own experiences

You might remember the pressure to be thin when you were growing up. Don't be afraid to talk about that.

"When I was your age, being skinny was such a big deal in magazines and movies. I remember how hard it was to feel good about myself. I wonder if it feels similar with TikTok now?"

Sharing a bit of your own story can help your child feel seen—and less alone.

Gently bring up any changes you've noticed

If you've spotted some worrying signs (like skipping meals or pulling away socially), it's okay to say something—but do it gently, without blame.

"I've noticed you're not eating some of the things you used to enjoy, and you've been wearing really baggy clothes lately. I just want to check in—how are you feeling these days?"

This shows care, not control. You're offering space, not pressure.

Build media literacy together

Ask questions that encourage your child to think critically about what they see online.

"Do you think that workout routine is realistic for most people?"

"Would a doctor or nutritionist agree with this advice?"

"Do you think people are being honest in these videos—or are they editing or hiding things?"

Media literacy is a powerful tool. The more your child learns to question what they see, the better they can protect their self-worth.

Model what healthy looks like

Finally, remember that how you speak about your own body—and food—matters too. Children notice more than we think.

Avoid making negative comments about your own weight or appearance in front of them. Talk about food as fuel and enjoyment, not as something to earn or punish yourself with. Your example helps shape their inner voice.

What Else You Can Do as a Parent

TikTok has officially banned the hashtag #SkinnyTok and now redirects searches to mental health resources. But the trend hasn't disappeared—it simply shows up under new names like #ThinTok or "harsh motivation," which means harmful content can still reach your child.

Adjust TikTok's Settings for Safety

While no setting can completely block harmful trends like SkinnyTok, there are practical tools you can use to reduce your child's exposure:

Set the account to Private

• This ensures that only approved followers can view or comment on your child's videos and send messages.

Turn on Restricted Mode

• Found in Digital Wellbeing settings, this helps filter out content that TikTok flags as inappropriate or mature.

Limit screen time

• You can set daily limits for TikTok or all apps using either TikTok's built-in Family Pairing features or parental controls on their device (iOS or Android).

Disable Personalized Recommendations

• In the privacy settings, turn off "Personalized ads" and limit data tracking. This disrupts the algorithm's ability to serve up similar content based on previous views.

Use "Not Interested" regularly

• If you or your child see something worrying, press and hold on the video and tap "Not Interested." The more you do this, the more the app adjusts what it shows.

Block or report triggering accounts

• If specific users promote dangerous ideas, block them and report their content. This can help clean up your child's feed and protect others, too.

You can also explore TikTok's Family Pairing feature, which lets you connect your account to your child's and manage these settings together.

If you'd like more control across all your child's online activity—not just on TikTok—tools like Bitdefender Parental Control  can help. It's included in all Bitdefender paid security plans and allows you to see how much time your child spends on apps like TikTok, filter out age-inappropriate or dangerous content, and daily routines for screen time, like breaks for meals or bedtime.

Related: Roast Battles Explained: Why They're Popular Among Kids and What Parents Can Do

Where to Get More Support

If you're concerned about your child's relationship with food or body image, you're not alone—and help is available wherever you are.

• In the U.S.:
  Contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders at 1-866-662-1235 (Monday–Friday), or text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support.
  Visit www.allianceforeatingdisorders.org
  Additional resources: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
• In the UK:
  Visit Beat Eating Disorders at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call their Helpline at 0808 801 0677 (available every day).
• In Europe and beyond:
  Check the Eating Disorder Hope international resource directory: www.eatingdisorderhope.com
  Or reach out to local mental health organizations, school counselors, or your family doctor for referrals.

Eating disorders can affect anyone, at any age, and support is most effective when it starts early. You don’t need to have all the answers—just reaching out is a strong first step.