Think back to when you were 12 years old, and now ask yourself, what was I doing at this age? Many of us might say we were outside with our friends, playing on our trampolines, or perhaps even playing silly games on our phones. Various generations have their own experience of this influential age. But most can agree that we did “age-appropriate” activities. However, this current youth seems to be doing something different. Some might say it is dangerous, others might think it’s just their way of expressing themselves.
Nearly all the current preteens during this time are exposed to social media. Data has shown that the most popular app for 9-12-year-olds is TikTok. The app consists of Grwm (get ready with me), Fashion tips, and many older teens and adults living their lives on their own. However, people mainly display only the positive aspects of their lives. This causes the kids to want to be just like them and live like them. Some might say kids are like sponges, they absorb the world around them so they don’t wait. They start dressing like their favorite influencers, talking like them, and acting like them.
I spoke to Andrea Zandate, a mother of three, who has a 12 and 15-year-old daughter as well as a 17-year-old son. So the different ages gave her different perspectives. I asked her if having a preteen during this time, when the internet is big and social media is everywhere, is different from how it was when she was a preteen and her other kids. She replied, “Unlike my son, daughter, and I, my 12-year-old is very influenced by social media from things that she says to how she acts.” She continued, “Especially the skincare and makeup trends.” Zandate proceeded to tell me how her daughter enjoys watching Get Ready with me on TikTok, but when her other kids were younger they’d watch things on PBS.
I then spoke to her daughter, who Zandate asked to be referred to as Iz, and asked what she likes to do. She told me, “I love to go on my phone and watch TikTok and YouTube. My favorite is the TikTok of girls getting ready for a party.” She proceeded to say, “These videos make me excited to grow up, and help me see what I want to wear and look.” Iz then showed me the outfits she wanted to wear and how she wanted to dress. It consisted of short tops and short skirts as well as long nails and heavy makeup. Something that is traditionally appropriate for women and not young girls. 
Andrea Zandate later on said, “Iz talks about when she has kids and dying her hair and getting nails and makeup done.” She proceeds to say, “She’s only 11 so I feel that that’s too much for her age.” Sadly, how the media portrays many things in a glorified way confuses children about the way they should behave. Iz is not the only example of kids acting older. A prime example of this sad age confusion is the teen influencers who usually dress like they’re 10 years older than they are.
