Parents are increasingly worried about the negative effects of social media use on their children, and content offering questionable health and fitness advice is a common concern. But knowing what to do is often half the battle…
each Child development stages Puberty is a difficult time, but it also comes with its own unique challenges – from changing hormone levels and exam pressure to the age-old questions; How much sleep do teenagers need?These challenges can be challenging for both teens and parents. Many parents are in a so-calledTeen Ternity“Take time off work while your children are in their teens to give yourself the time and space to meet their needs.”
And of course, parents today also have to deal with issues of technology and social media. Recent U.S. national reportsIn a survey, 52% of parents said they were very or extremely concerned about the impact of social media on their children’s mental health. Despite these concerns, the popularity of platforms like YouTube and TikTok shows no signs of slowing down among teenagers. A 2023 survey of 1,453 US youth found that 93% of 13-17 year olds use YouTube regularly, with TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram not far behind (63%, 60% and 59%, respectively).
These video sharing apps are great for a laugh, discovering new things, or just checking in with friends. NSPCC Teenagers are also at risk of coming across disturbing or inappropriate content while using the app, the report said.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A major concern for parents is the abundance of health and fitness content. Over 4 million posts on TikTok have been tagged with the hashtag #fittok, which has garnered more than 66 billion views. And between F1 drivers detailing their daily training and Joe “The Body Coach” Wicks sharing how to make kimchi fried rice, there are plenty of posts offering questionable advice that is not supported by, or contradicts, expert guidelines or government advice.
So how can parents help their teens use social media safely and avoid the temptation to try potentially harmful health and fitness trends?
A social media platform’s own safety tools are the obvious first step: YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram all offer dedicated parental control features aimed at keeping kids safe and giving parents peace of mind. Beyond these tools, knowledge is power and open communication is key.
With that in mind, we consulted experts on four of TikTok’s hugely popular “wellbeing” challenges (put together by Live Football Tickets) to help you separate the hype from the truth, and start conversations with your teens about the risks these posts pose.
1. 75 Hard Challenge
The “Mental Strength” challenge involves following strict rules incorporating diet, exercise and mental stimulation for 75 days in a row, and a TikTok video detailing the challenge has been viewed more than 4.4 million times.
The rules include:
- Choose a diet to follow and stick to it – no alcohol or “cheat meals”.
- Do two 45-minute workouts each day, one of which must be outdoors.
- Drink 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per day.
- Take photos of your progress every day.
- Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book. Audiobooks don’t count.
If participants fail to follow these rules at any point during the challenge, they will have to start over from day one.
@simonerampf_fitness ♬ Euro Step – West
Expert opinion – Renowned personal trainer Amy Victoria Long has tried the trend herself, and says it’s an unrealistic goal for most people, especially those starting out relatively inexperienced or under-fit.
She outlines the basic principles of physical activity, a balanced diet, staying hydrated and educating yourself. can While all of this can have positive health effects, “the amount of work you have to do to complete a challenge can be detrimental to your health,” she says.
Meanwhile, “75 Hard is a very worrying trend,” says nutritionist Sophie Medlin, who cites possible consequences of trying the diet including body image issues, eating disorders, over-exercise and possible electrolyte depletion.
“Adolescents’ relationships with eating habits and their bodies are particularly delicate, and I feel very concerned for teenagers as they take on this challenge.”
She agrees with Long about encouraging healthy behaviors like going outside and reading, but says an inflexible attitude toward food is a big red flag.
“Strict dietary restrictions with no flexibility are bad for your mental and social health,” she said, adding that “no cheat meals” only reinforce the rigidity of the diet.
“Taking daily progress photos encourages body checking, which is an issue that relates to eating disorders and body image issues,” she added.
2. 30-Day Gallon of Water Challenge
As the name suggests, the goal of this challenge is to drink one gallon (3.78 liters) of water every day for 30 days.
TikTok blocks video results when searching for the phrase “30-day gallon of water challenge” within the app and displays the message, “If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, help is available,” along with a link to its own resources that clicks through to a page about eating disorders.
However, I found I could get around this by modifying my search terms – for example, typing in “30 day supply of gallons of water” quickly loads a lot of results.
In a video that has been viewed more than 60,000 times, TikTok user Gabe Souza says completing the challenge has given him more energy, better performance in the gym and clearer skin, among other benefits, and he also touts the oversized water bottle he’s drinking from.
@gabesouzafit ♬ Original Sound – gabesouza
Expert opinion – This challenge is significantly shorter than the “75 Hard Challenge,” which recommends drinking one gallon of water a day, but the risks are just as worrisome.
“Forcing someone to drink large amounts of water can have serious health effects, including seizures and death,” Medlin said.
“A gallon a day is unlikely to kill you, but it can certainly cause electrolyte problems, especially in someone who is underweight.
“The biggest risk is electrolyte depletion and a condition called hyponatremia (low salt levels in the blood), which can be fatal and causes nausea, confusion and headaches in the early stages.”
3. Fasting Challenge
Most viral fasting challenges focus on intermittent fasting, the act of restricting or avoiding food intake at certain times of the day (such as the 16:8 diet) or on certain days of the week (such as the 5:2 diet).
However, some videos encourage a more extreme approach to fasting, encouraging people to completely abstain from food for extended periods of time.
One of the most-liked posts found on TikTok after searching “fasting challenge” has been viewed more than 1.5 million times, in which the poster talks about a friend who “recently went 21 days without eating anything, only drinking water and no food,” adding, “She is alive and well.”
The creator goes on to say that she recently completed a six-day fast, during which she consumed only “solid fruit and water.” She acknowledges that the fast left her with headaches, moodiness, and frequent urination. She concludes by encouraging viewers to “do some kind of fasting.”
Of course, fasting is a feature of many people’s religions. Muslims, for example, practice fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, which the author also mentions in this post. However, the act of fasting during Ramadan only requires abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. After sunset, meals and snacks are permitted, and staying hydrated is encouraged.
@jlueche ♬ Original Sound – Jlueche
Expert opinion – “I don’t recommend fasting beyond time-restricted fasting, where you eat within a flexible eight-hour fasting window,” Medlin says.
“This is partly because there is a lack of evidence that long-term fasting has any benefits, but also because fasting may encourage eating disorders and restrictive eating.
“Hunger cues, which can manifest as irritability or an obsession with food, are important to respond to. The fact that she reports that she is urinating frequently is [in the video above] This is a sign that essential electrolytes have been severely depleted and can cause nausea, dizziness, and even seizures or death.”
She added that the effects of fasting may have an even greater impact on young people.
“Children and adolescents require more energy than adults to support growth and participating in such fasts may impair their growth and development.”
4. Apple cider vinegar for weight loss
TikTok is full of posts about ACV, with many promoting its use as a way to lose weight, lose fat, and suppress appetite.
One of the most-liked videos that turns up when you search “apple cider vinegar for weight loss” on the app shows the creator mixing apple cider vinegar with purified water, lemon juice, ginger juice, turmeric and cayenne pepper.
In the video, the creator claims to have lost over 16 pounds (1.1 stone) in three weeks, and attributes the weight loss to drinking apple cider vinegar every day.
@kayboo077 ♬ Instruments – Gerhard Siagian
Expert opinion – There’s very limited evidence that apple cider vinegar may slow digestion slightly, but Medlin says the risks far outweigh the benefits.
“I strongly advise my patients not to use ACV outside of salad dressings or meals as it can severely damage tooth enamel and cause throat and stomach burns,” she advises.
“Parents should actively discourage their children from taking part in any weight-loss fads, including this one,” she added. “They are setting themselves up for tooth decay, swallowing problems and eating disorders.”
Sophie Medlin
Sophie Medlin is a consultant dietitian and director of CityDietitians. She also serves as President of the British Dietitian Association in London. She is known for promoting evidence-based nutrition and fighting social media trends. Sophie has worked as a dietitian for 17 years, working in the NHS before moving into academia and working as a lecturer at King’s College London.
Amy Victoria Long
Amy is a top personal trainer whose clientele includes A-list celebrities and members of royalty, and she combines a variety of disciplines, from Pilates to strength training, to help her clients achieve the results they desire.
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