If you’ve spent any time scrolling social media lately, you’ve likely seen it…even if you didn’t realize what it was.

A girl turns sideways.
She pinches her waist.
She checks her reflection… again.

This is called body checking, and according to a February 2023 article from Parents.com, it’s becoming increasingly common among tweens and teens, especially girls.

And it’s not just a harmless habit.

What Is Body Checking?

Body checking is the repeated act of examining your body’s size, shape, or weight. This can look like:

• Constant mirror checking

• Pinching skin or measuring body parts

• Trying on clothes repeatedly to assess fit

• Weighing frequently

While it may seem small in the moment, experts warn that it can quickly become compulsive and deeply tied to self-worth.

The Social Media Effect

The rise in body checking is not happening in isolation.

According to the Parents.com article, social media—>especially platforms like TikTok<—has played a significant role in increasing these behaviors.

Girls today are growing up in a world where:

• Filters reshape reality

• Angles and edits create “perfect” bodies

• Comparison is constant and unavoidable

Research cited in the article shows that repeated exposure to these unrealistic images can lead to:

• Increased anxiety about appearance

• Lower self-esteem

• Greater likelihood of engaging in body checking

And the more time girls spend on social media, the more likely they are to develop unhealthy relationships with their bodies and with food.

The Dangerous Link to Eating Disorders

Here’s where this becomes especially concerning for parents.

Body checking isn’t just about appearance; it can become a gateway behavior.

Experts in the article explain that body checking often fuels a desire to “fix” or control the body, which can lead to:

• Food restriction

• Over-exercising

• Obsessive thoughts about weight and shape

Over time, these patterns can evolve into disordered eating and even full eating disorders.

In other words:
What starts as a glance in the mirror can quietly turn into something much deeper.

Why This Matters So Much for Girls

Girls, in particular, are at the center of this growing concern.

They are:

• Entering social media at a younger age

• Facing increased pressure to look a certain way

• Tying identity and worth to appearance earlier than ever

And without strong emotional anchors, they begin looking outward for validation instead of inward for confidence.

This is where we, as parents, come in.

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The Real Solution Starts at Home 💛

We cannot control social media.
We cannot control what other kids say.
We cannot control every message our daughters receive.

But we can control the relationship we build with them.

Connection Is the Protective Factor

When girls feel deeply connected at home, they are more likely to:

• Trust their bodies

• Speak up about what they’re experiencing

• Resist harmful comparison

• Develop a stronger sense of identity

Connection becomes their internal compass in a world full of external noise.

Building That Connection Early

The most powerful work happens before the problem fully appears.

In the early years, we have a window to:

 

• Create open, judgment-free communication

• Normalize conversations about feelings and self-image

• Build confidence that isn’t tied to appearance

• Teach girls to value who they are… not just how they look

These small, everyday moments matter:

• Talking during car rides

• Baking together in the kitchen

• Reading stories that reflect real challenges

• Asking thoughtful, open-ended questions

This is exactly why My Crumby World exists.

The Breadcrumbz Approach

Inside our world, the Breadcrumbz help girls:

• Navigate friendships

• Build confidence

• Embrace differences

• Learn that their worth is never measured by appearance

Through stories, activities, and shared experiences, we create opportunities for connection first—–>because connection is what protects them later.

 

 

 

What Parents Can Do Right Now

If you’re concerned about body image or body checking, start here:

• Keep conversations open and pressure-free

• Avoid commenting negatively on your own or others’ bodies

• Focus on what bodies can do, not how they look

• Stay curious about your child’s online world

• Most importantly—stay connected

Because when your daughter knows she can come to you without judgment, she doesn’t have to face these pressures alone.

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Final Crumb to Hold Onto

Body checking may be trending—but so is awareness.

And while the world may be getting louder about appearance, your voice can be louder about worth, connection, and truth.

The goal isn’t to shield our daughters from every hard message.

It’s to make sure they are strong enough—and connected enough—to not believe them.