Social media is an integral part of daily life for most teens, but it is also where many begin to question their self-worth. For Black youth, the pressure hits harder because curated content often rewards comparison over confidence—especially when it comes to beauty, wellness, and appearance. To understand how this affects mental health and identity, especially within our community, we spoke with Dr. Lauren Hartman, a double board-certified specialist in Adolescent Medicine and Pediatrics.
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When Tweens and Teens Do Not See Themselves
“The biggest challenge I see among my patients is when they go online and don’t feel a sense of belonging. For many Black and Brown youth, scrolling through social media means constantly viewing beauty products marketed primarily for white complexions and rarely seeing themselves authentically reflected in wellness or beauty content,” Dr. Hartman explains.
“This lack of representation sends a harmful message that their natural features aren’t valued or ‘standard.’ When teens can’t find themselves in the images that define beauty and health, it has a profound impact on how they perceive themselves. They’re left feeling like outsiders, which is especially harmful in spaces that claim to be about self-care and confidence.”
The Sephora Kid Phenomenon
It may have been a rite of passage for teenagers to get their first skincare system from Clinique decades ago, but today, skincare is being marketed to younger and younger audiences. An article in the journal Pediatric Dermatology, “This new obsession has been coined the ‘Sephora Kid’ trend, where young children engage in complex, multistep skincare regimens, spurred on by influencers on social media.”
“However, the increasing use of skincare products poses real physical dangers to young people, and the impact of unrealistic beauty ideals and social pressures is mounting. Social media has dramatically increased opportunities for comparison outside of one’s peer group.”
The article mentions the psychological impact of two things: highly-edited, and unrealistic images, combined with stealth advertising dominating their social feeds. They give teenagers, tweens, and those even younger “distorted realities that challenge their self-esteem.”
What the Research Shows
Recent studies confirm what many Black families already know. Social media can be both empowering and harmful, depending on what teens see and how they interpret it.
A 2024 study from the University of Southern California (USC) found that online platforms can support identity development for Black youth, but only when they see themselves reflected in affirming ways. Without that, constant exposure to Eurocentric beauty standards and curated perfection can erode self-esteem.
The 2025 USC follow-up study found that daily exposure to exclusionary content, limited representation, and online racism, including algorithmic bias, was linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in Black adolescents. Algorithms are the behind-the-scenes systems that decide what content shows up in your feed. If those systems favor certain beauty standards or viral videos, they can reinforce harmful patterns without teens even realizing it.
Excessive screen time and symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially among girls and Black youth, were among the findings of a 2025 CDC report. Teens who reported feeling less attractive or less confident after scrolling were more likely to experience sleep disruption, disordered eating, and social withdrawal.
These findings support what Dr. Hartman sees in her practice. When Black teens do not see themselves reflected or feel pressured to conform to narrow standards, they are more vulnerable to self-doubt and digital burnout.
Watch For the Red Flags
Dr. Hartman encourages parents to watch for two major red flags. She says increased time on their phone, coupled with a noticeable decline in mood, is a key signal.
“If your teen is spending more hours scrolling but seems increasingly withdrawn, anxious, or down afterward, that’s a signal something isn’t sitting right. You might also notice them constantly checking for likes or comments, seeming preoccupied with how posts perform, or making negative comments about their appearance after being online.”
Boundaries That Build Trust
“It’s helpful, and encouraged, to establish clear boundaries around social media, and parents shouldn’t be afraid to set them,” Dr. Hartman explains. “I think sometimes parents worry so much about being liked by their teen that they lose sight of the fact that parenting is our job, not friendship.”
She recommends setting guidelines such as time limits on social media, no phone use after 9 PM, deciding which apps are acceptable or off-limits, and actively monitoring accounts. “Here’s something important to remember. Just because their friends are on certain platforms doesn’t mean your child needs to be.”
Dr. Hartman also urges parents to go beyond rules and talk about how social media works.
“Help your teen understand how social media works behind the scenes. Talk with them about how algorithms are designed to keep them scrolling, how influencers are often paid to promote products or lifestyles, and how many posts are carefully curated or edited, and aren’t real life,” she says.
“When teens recognize they’re being marketed to, often in ways designed to make them feel inadequate so they’ll buy something, they feel more empowered to think critically about what they’re seeing. This shifts the conversation from ‘you can’t use this’ to ‘let’s talk about what’s really happening here and how to protect yourself.’”
Cultivate Habits That Instill Confidence
Dr. Hartman recommends starting with phone-free zones and times. “No devices at mealtime, during family time, or late at night. These boundaries create natural pauses and protect sleep, connection, and presence.”
She also emphasizes emotional awareness.
“Encourage your teen to notice how social media makes them feel. After scrolling, do they feel energized or drained? Inspired or inadequate? Building this self-awareness helps them become more intentional users, not just passive victims of the algorithms. They can learn to curate their feeds by unfollowing accounts that trigger negative feelings.”
Diet Culture is Back
“Diet culture is having a major resurgence right now, and it’s showing up across social media platforms with different, and often dangerous, trends,” Dr. Hartman warns. “The good news is that parents don’t need to keep up with every viral trend. But parents can notice whether their teen’s relationship with food has changed.”
She lists warning signs to watch for.
“Skipping meals or significantly decreasing portion sizes, making excuses to avoid eating, eliminating entire food groups, using the bathroom during or immediately after meals, or dramatically increasing exercise. If you notice these behaviors, I’d suggest a conversation with them and considering reaching out for professional support with a doctor, school counselor or therapist.”
Model What You Want to See
“The most important thing, and admittedly the hardest, is to model the behavior you hope to see in your teen,” says Dr. Hartman.
“This means setting time limits for yourself, not scrolling at the dinner table, putting your phone away at night, and being fully present during family time. Teens are incredibly perceptive. If they see you constantly on your device, while you’re also telling them to limit screen time, it isn’t going to be as effective. When you demonstrate healthy boundaries with technology, you’re showing them it’s not only possible but that you find it valuable.”
Resources:
Associations Between Screen Time Use and Health Outcomes Among US Teenagers
