unhackchildhood.com/topics/comparison-body-image · Reviewed September 24, 2026
DO THIS FIRST
Take back some control.
- 01
Notice how you feel after scrolling. If a feed leaves you feeling worse about your body or your life, that is a signal to change the feed, not yourself.
- 02
Reset the feed. Tap “Not interested,” mute or block accounts, filter out words and hashtags, or refresh the feed so the algorithm stops serving more of the same.
- 03
Talk with someone you trust: a parent, counselor, coach, school nurse, or doctor. Parents, if you think social media is hurting your child’s health, call the pediatrician early.
- 04
Set phone-free times together, like meals and the hour before bed. Sleep affects mood, and scrolling late at night can cut into it.
- 05
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, if someone may hurt themselves or is in a mental health crisis. Call 911 for immediate danger.
FOR STUDENTS
No shame. Just the next move.
- You are not the only one who feels worse after scrolling. Feeds are highlight reels: a lot of what you see is filtered or edited, and the algorithm serves more of whatever you watch.
- If “what I eat in a day,” fitness, or “thinspo” videos leave you feeling bad, tap “Not interested,” mute, or block. Then search for things you actually love, so the feed has something better to learn.
- If a friend talks about hurting themselves, do not keep it a secret. Tell a trusted adult, or call or text 988 and ask what help is nearby.
FOR PARENTS
Contain first. Debrief later.
- Ask, then listen more than you talk: “What have you been seeing lately? Does any of it make you feel worried or bad about yourself?” Plan on many short talks, not one big one.
- Watch for changes that last: trouble falling or staying asleep, pulling away from friends or favorite activities, big changes in eating, extreme workouts, or a constant focus on weight or body shape.
- Take possible self-harm seriously, such as cuts, burns, or bruises your teen hides or can’t explain. Stay calm, ask directly and kindly, and call the pediatrician.
- Call your child’s pediatrician early. In Massachusetts, the Behavioral Health Help Line (833-773-2445) takes calls and texts 24/7, is free, and can help you find care for your child, even without insurance.
- Make a family media plan together, with tech-free zones like meals and bedtime, and follow it yourself. Your own phone habits shape theirs.
TRUSTED NEXT STOPS
Official help and reporting.
Reviewed September 24, 2026. External guidance changes; confirm time-sensitive steps on the linked official site.
SET IT UP