Life as a teenage girl in 2025 in the UK

I work with a lot of teenage girls within my practice and it is so sad to hear some of the things that they say to me. There seems to be a real issue with how young girls and women are treated in society in 2025.

The sexualisation of teenage girls in the UK is concerning, influenced by societal norms, media portrayals, and online platforms. This issue not only affects the self-esteem and mental health of young girls but also exposes them to various forms of exploitation and harassment.

The presence of social media and digital platforms has intensified appearance-related pressures among teenage girls. Girls as young as 11 are considering future cosmetic procedures, highlighting the deep-rooted impact of societal beauty standards. Recently on a shopping trip with my 22 year old daughter, we were blown away by the numbers of pre-teen girls looking at beauty products which are being targeted at them but are so unnecessary.

The rise of influencers and content creators who promote unrealistic beauty goals is making this issue bigger. Young audiences are beginning to believe that self-worth goes hand in hand with sexual appeal. And these are under 16 year old girls!

The media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions. In recent years, there has been a push towards more positive and empowering representations of teenage girls, highlighting their achievements and potential. However, challenges such as objectification and unrealistic standards persist in some areas. Society has become increasingly aware of issues like gender equality and the importance of respecting young individuals. Campaigns and educational programs have been implemented to promote respectful attitudes towards teenage girls and to challenge outdated stereotypes. However, in my practice I have girls telling me about how they need to be “prettier to keep a boyfriend” or have felt pressured into doing things they don’t feel comfortable with. One 15 year old told me she is known in school as a “slag” even though the furthest she has ever gone with a boy is kissing. The pressure to send explicit photos via social media platforms like snapchat is still a major concern.

So what can parents do to protect their daughters?

1. Encourage a safe, non-judgmental environment for discussions about relationships, sex, and personal safety.
2. Teach the importance of consent, boundaries, and recognising red flags in relationships.
3. Monitor social media activity and discuss the risks of sharing personal information online.
4. Teach daughters how to recognise grooming tactics and report suspicious behaviour.
5. Encourage the use of privacy settings and being cautious about who they interact with online.
6. Help them develop confidence and assertiveness to say no to uncomfortable situations.
7. Teach them how to identify manipulation and coercion in relationships.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your daughter, listen to them and see what life really is like for them. I can say with 100% confidence that it is not easy for them in 2025. They all want to grow up and society is wanting them to grow up faster, to buy beauty products and clothes that make them feel more adult-like but these are our children and teaching them to not rush through these formative years will benefit everyone.