Anyone Else (Who’s Young & Chronically Online) Bothered About This Whole ‘SkinnyTok’ Trend?

Anyone Else (Who’s Young & Chronically Online) Bothered About This Whole ‘SkinnyTok’ Trend?

If you’re part of Gen Z or a millennial who spends a lot of time online, you’ve probably encountered the rise of “SkinnyTok”—a side of TikTok filled with weight-loss content, extreme diet advice, and aesthetic ideals rooted in being ultra-thin. And if it makes you uncomfortable or conflicted, you’re not alone.

What’s especially disturbing is that this trend often masks itself as “wellness” or “clean living”, even though the undertone is clearly about shrinking yourself. It glorifies 1,200-calorie diets, excessive cardio, “What I Eat In a Day” videos with barely any food, and before-and-after photos designed to go viral. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be healthier, the problem lies in how these messages are presented—obsessive, aesthetic-focused, and often completely detached from science or mental health.

For young people trying to lose weight or improve their relationship with food, SkinnyTok can send confusing messages. One minute you’re watching someone promote self-love, and the next, you’re fed a video glamorizing disordered eating. The algorithm doesn’t always distinguish between healthy content and harmful obsession.

This kind of content contributes to toxic comparison culture. You may find yourself wondering, “Why don’t I look like her?” or “Should I skip meals too?” even if, logically, you know better. And that’s what makes SkinnyTok so insidious: it preys on insecurities, rewards extremism, and normalizes unsustainable habits.

So what can you do? First, curate your feed. Use “Not Interested” on content that triggers unhealthy thoughts. Seek out creators who promote body neutrality, strength, balance, and mental health. There’s a growing corner of TikTok focused on evidence-based advice and realistic wellness—it’s worth finding.

Second, check in with yourself. If you feel worse after scrolling, it’s okay to take a break from the app. Social media can be a tool for connection and motivation—but only if you use it with intention.

Finally, challenge the narrative. Talk openly about how this content affects you with friends or online communities that value mental well-being. The more we speak up, the more we shift the conversation toward health and away from harmful aesthetic pressure.

Being chronically online doesn’t mean you have to absorb everything you see. You’re allowed to protect your peace, question harmful trends, and define health on your own terms. Let’s make space for content that lifts us up—not breaks us down.