When a 13-year-old girl told her psychiatrist she planned to undergo lip surgery at 18 because she believed "normal lips" were no longer attractive, it was seen as a serious warning sign. The teenager's perception of beauty had been heavily influenced by the images and appearance standards she encountered online.

Mental health experts say such concerns are becoming increasingly common as children and adolescents spend more time on social media—a space where filters, edited images, and influencer culture can create unrealistic perceptions of beauty and appearance.

As the UAE moves toward restricting social media access for children under 15, experts say the issue is no longer just about screen time, but also about how teenagers perceive themselves.

Dr. Shahana Qasim, a psychiatrist at NMC Specialty Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said she is seeing more children comparing themselves to the carefully edited images they encounter online.

She said: "Many teenagers know that online images are often edited, filtered, or carefully selected, but they still compare themselves to those same standards."

Referring to the case of the 13-year-old girl, Dr. Shahana said constant comparison can lead to dissatisfaction with appearance and feelings of inadequacy. She added: "Many children are increasingly mimicking adult behaviors, from their style of dress and use of cosmetics to how they present themselves. In some cases, they lose part of their childhood in the process."

Filters become the new reality

Experts say social media is filled with heavily curated and adjusted images that often do not reflect real life.

Carolyn Yaffe, a cognitive behavioral therapist and counselor at Medcare Camali Clinic, said many teenagers feel pressured to present a perfect version of themselves online.

She said: "The pressure to build a perfect online presence can be truly overwhelming. Many teenagers find themselves editing photos, adding filters, and sharing only the highlights of their lives."

According to Yaffe, constant exposure to influencers, celebrities, and carefully edited content can lead children to believe these standards are normal or achievable. Consequently, some feel dissatisfied with their appearance, achievements, or lifestyle.

She added: "This cycle of comparison can impact their self-esteem and overall happiness."

Beyond appearance

Doctors say the impact is not limited to appearance; children may measure their self-worth through online validation and compare themselves to others not only physically but also socially.

Dr. Amer Javed, Head of Psychiatry and Intellectual Disorders and Consultant Psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City, said social media can create unrealistic expectations regarding popularity, success, and lifestyle.

He said: "This pressure can be significant. Constant exposure to highly selective and often unrealistic content may lead to dissatisfaction with appearance, decreased self-confidence, and the formation of unrealistic expectations about success, popularity, and lifestyle."

Experts say many teenagers come to believe that everyone else is happier, more successful, and more attractive than they are, while social media often only shows the best moments of people's lives.

Chasing an online life

Pratibha Tiwari, an emotional intelligence coach and adolescent leadership development expert, said many children struggle to separate online perception from reality.

She said: "I have noticed many teenagers starting to believe in a fabricated life that isn't actually true. Having the latest iPhone, following current trends, and doing things considered attractive and cool becomes very important to them."

She said some children focus so much on trends and influencer culture that they lose sight of more meaningful goals, such as building skills, exploring interests, and strengthening real-world self-confidence.

Helping children build confidence

Mental health professionals emphasized that social media itself is not the enemy. However, children need support to understand that online images are often edited, filtered, and carefully presented.