Kerry Katona faced tough questions from Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain after the presenter asked why her eight-year-old daughter is allowed on social media.
Skincare trend concerns
The reality TV star and mother-of-five appeared on GMB on Tuesday (July 21) to discuss the worrying trend of young girls becoming obsessed with skincare through social media. Katona, 45, was joined by her influencer daughter Heidi Katona, 19, who said she grew concerned after seeing younger sister Dylan-Jorge watching “get ready with me” videos and using adult skincare.
Presenter Reid addressed Katona directly, asking: “I’m going to say something a bit spiky here, Kerry: why is an eight-year-old on social media?”
Katona's defence
“Well, I’ll be honest with you, yes, I know,” Kerry replied, with Heidi adding: “I agree.” Heidi noted that her mother had been “really tough” on her growing up, banning social media until age 13, but had gone “soft” on younger children.
“Can I answer?” said Kerry, as Reid asked for silence. “I’ve had every generation of children,” Kerry explained. “What I have noticed with all of my children is how the generations have changed, and how older, despite how younger they are, they have gotten. So each trend and each generation, it has changed. And as much as I try to keep her off it, everybody else is doing it. It’s hard.”
Reid responded: “I understand. I’m not criticising you, I’m only saying.”
Growing trend and UK ban
The trend of young children using adult skincare is often linked to social media and beauty content creators. In 2024, the British Association for Dermatologists warned that this can cause irreversible skin problems.
A UK social media ban, introduced by Keir Starmer in his final months as prime minister, will prevent under-16s from using “addictive” social media. The first regulations are expected by Spring 2027, enforced by Ofcom.
