Childline warns of summer spike in children seeking body image support
Childline is warning of a likely summer spike in children seeking support for body image concerns.
New data from the NSPCC service shows it delivered 3,364 counselling sessions on body image and eating disorders between April 2025 and March 2026.
Support on these issues peaked over the summer months last year, with almost 1,000 counselling sessions delivered across June, July and August.
Childline said the run up to the school holidays can be a particularly difficult time for children struggling with body image or their relationship with food.
Children have spoken to the service about fears of wearing certain clothes, including swimsuits, and feeling under pressure to look a certain way.
Children and young people also mentioned comparing themselves to influencers they see online, including videos that Childline said often promote unhealthy habits.
Last year, TikTok banned the hashtag SkinnyTok in an effort to prevent young people being exposed to dangerous eating disorder content.
Childline said it is still hearing from young people who are watching similar content on TikTok and other platforms, despite the ban.
Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “With the warm weather continuing and families planning their summer holidays, young people might be finding themselves in positions where they feel anxious about their body.
“To cope, some young people are taking drastic measures, such as restricting their food intake or, in some instances, developing disordered eating behaviours. Children are also telling us that unrealistic beauty standards are affecting their wellbeing and self-worth, with many comparing themselves to others, particularly influencers on social media.
“Childline wants every young person to know that whatever they’re going through our trained counsellors are here to listen without judgment. Seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Childline is advising parents to be mindful of how they speak about their own bodies and other people’s in front of their children, and to focus conversations on health and wellbeing rather than appearance.
The service is also urging parents to take any concerns their child raises seriously, to talk to them about unrealistic images they see in the media, and to watch for changes in eating habits, mood or social withdrawal.
Children can speak to a trained Childline counsellor free on 0800 1111, by email, or through a one to one chat on the Childline website.
Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline.
This is a sensitive subject, and if you or someone you know is struggling with body image or an eating disorder, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers a dedicated helpline for support.
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