Rising trend of cosmetic requests among children driven by social media pressures and peer bullying

Children and teenagers are increasingly seeking cosmetic procedures, influenced by online filters, peer pressure, and unrealistic beauty ideals, raising concerns about emotional readiness and psychological impact, experts warn.

Children and teenagers are increasingly asking for cosmetic procedures as peer bullying, social media filters and unrealistic beauty ideals reshape how they see themselves, according to Istanbul ear, nose and throat and facial plastic surgery specialist Yasin Kulaksiz, speaking to Anadolu Agency. Kulaksiz said the trend is particularly visible among young patients who are influenced by online comparisons and pressure from classmates, sometimes well before they are emotionally ready for surgery.

He said clinicians need to determine first whether a complaint has a genuine physical basis or is being driven by trends, peer pressure or distorted expectations. In some cases, he noted, children arrive asking for changes that have little to do with a medical issue and more to do with wanting to fit in or copy what is popular online. Kulaksiz gave examples of young people asking for highly stylised noses and said such requests should usually be steered away from surgery.

Research cited in recent studies supports that concern. A paper indexed on PubMed found that social media can affect adolescents’ self-esteem, identity development and body dissatisfaction, while the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has said bullying victims and even those involved in bullying are more likely to want cosmetic surgery. Other studies have also linked heavy use of beauty filters and appearance-focused content with greater acceptance of cosmetic procedures among teenagers.

Kulaksiz said the age at which requests appear often depends on the feature involved. Prominent ears tend to become an issue in early childhood, while nose-related concerns more often emerge in the later teenage years. Even then, he said, surgery should only be considered when there is a real anatomical problem, a realistic aim and, where appropriate, parental approval. He added that in some cases the medical question is not appearance at all, but breathing.

He warned that surgery cannot solve bullying on its own. Referring to the late social media figure Taha Duymaz, Kulaksiz said one operation can simply shift the target from one feature to another if the underlying problem is social pressure and psychological distress. He also said parents can make matters worse by either dismissing a child’s concerns altogether or by trying to fulfil their own unrealised ambitions through their child. The better approach, he said, is a calm and objective assessment, with psychological support when needed and a careful look at the child’s maturity, expectations and family environment.