Teens are Obsessed With 'Checking the UV'—Why Experts Say It's Risky

It's hard to walk through life without hearing tried and proven-true ways to protect yourself from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays: Wear and reapply sunscreen, and find a shady spot or avoid being outside when the UV index is at its highest in the middle of the day.
So, it can be misleading when teens say they are going to go 'check the UV.' While it sounds like a practical and protective step, the TikTok-trending phrase means quite the opposite.
'In this case, the concern is that 'checking the UV' does not mean checking to see if the UV is too high to go out in the sun, which is the intended purpose of the UV rating,' explains Brandy Smith, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks. 'Rather, 'checking the UV' is being used as...an indication of [figuring out when] a good time to go outside in the sun to achieve an appearance that has been purported as desirable.'
Some teens believe that by ensuring that the UV is at its peak they'll have a better chance of getting tan if they head outside. However, experts warn that the trend is dangerous to a teen's physical and mental health in both the short and long term. We spoke to a dermatologist and two psychologists about the dangers of 'check the UV,' why it's spreading on social media, and how to talk to your teen about it.
As with many harmful trends these days, social media platforms like TikTok are significantly contributing to the rising popularity of teens 'checking the UV.' Tweens and teens share videos of themselves checking the weather app on their phones to find the UV for the day. They have even created memes poking fun of how often they check the UV to see when the best time is to attempt to get a tan.
'Teens are in a critical period of development, and social media plays a huge role in shaping their beauty standards,' explains Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, a psychologist with Phoenix Health. 'Beauty content that promotes narrow standards, like tan skin, can lead teens to connect their own self-worth to how closely they match these ideals. On top of it, algorithms promote this type of content, which keeps teens stuck in a pattern of comparing.'
Today's parents may remember scouring magazines for beauty advice, but this new generation often looks to social media for tips on what to do and which trends to follow, explains Dr. Smith. A key problem?
'Teens sometimes use social media as their guide...without taking into consideration how safe or healthy something is,' Dr. Smith says. 'Critical thinking skills are less developed at that age and often seen as less valuable during that time of life.'
It's also important to remember that almost anyone can post on social media, and the information shared does not need to be fact-checked before reaching its intended audience, allowing misinformation to rapidly spread.
According to Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD, a dermatologist, teens may believe they're looking at the UV index in hopes of getting a healthy looking glow, but the result is anything but healthy. While the highest ratings indeed signify the most sun exposure, the UV index (UVI) wasn't created as a tanning forecast.
In fact, The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the UVI measures UV radiation levels in order to inform people about how to protect themselves from the sun based on the ratings so they do not intentionally expose their bodies to UV rays without proper safeguards. The ratings go from 0 to 11. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), here's how to properly "check the UV:"
Most people can enjoy the outdoors safely when the UVI is between 0 and 2. It's a good idea to wear SPF 15+ if you burn easily (and note that the UV rays reflect off the snow in winter, making SPF a year-round necessity).
Take practical steps for moderate (3-5) to high (6-7). Sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ are a few ways to keep yourself safe from the sun.
Avoid very high UV (8-10) and extreme UV (11 and above). Shirts, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and shade are musts if you need to be outside.
Dr. Kazlouskaya notes that the 'check the UV' trend 'disturbs dermatologists who are concerned about higher risks of skin cancer—including melanoma, one of the deadliest cancers.'
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. by far, according to the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Kazlouskaya also notes that repeated sun exposure and damage can also lead to premature collagen damage and premature aging. Yet, wrinkles may seem foreign and far off to a person who hasn't even hit their 20s yet.
The physical risks are just the beginning. Trends like "checking the UV" perpetuate harmful narratives around beauty that young kids are especially susceptible to. Dr. Guarnotta warns that this is one of the aspects of the trend that most disturbs her.
'When teens see these trends and beauty content pushed, it reinforces to them that beauty is more important than health,' Dr. Guarnotta says. 'Teens may also prioritize short-term rewards, like tan skin, over long-term risks.'
Though the concept of practicing 'safe sun' has become more prevalent in recent years, experts warn that unregulated beauty content spreads rapidly online and threatens to undo some of the significant progress made. Teens who haven't developed critical thinking skills are especially vulnerable.
'Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok prioritize content that is emotional, extreme, and catchy,' explains Dr. Guarnotta.
Indeed, you may recall that former Facebook (Now Meta) employee Frances Haugen's whistleblower report detailed how the company utilized 'angry content' to keep people engaged on the platform. The company also had data citing that Instagram, which it also owns, made eating disorders worse for teen girls, but it continued to push that content because it kept them on the app.
These tactics can also lead to the spread of harmful skincare content.
'Trends like beauty hacks and tips are more likely to go viral, even if they're not grounded in science,' Dr. Guarnotta says. 'These posts then get served to teens who may take these posts at face value without considering the health risks. We need to protect our children from exposure to this content and also encourage them to develop the skills necessary to think through risks.'
Teens may naturally assert their independence, but experts share that parents can still feel empowered to help guide them through similar harmful beauty trends. Here are ways to shed light on the harms of 'checking the UV' for tanning purposes—and preparing them for whatever trend comes next.
Dr. Smith suggests educating your teen using relatable, age-appropriate language about trends.
'With this trend, educate them about what the purpose of the UV number is: To alert people of when to avoid being outside, rather than as a draw to spend time outside,' says Dr. Smith. Also, don't forget to show your teen how to do a self-skin check so they can monitor any signs of skin cancer.The American Cancer Society recommends conducting a monthly skin check to look for potential signs of skin cancer, such as expanding moles, growths or spots, or a sore that hasn't healed in weeks. You'll want to do skin checks in well-lit areas with full-length mirrors. Handheld mirrors and a trusted friend or family member can help you get the best look at hard-to-see body parts, such as your scalp or back. The American Cancer Society laid out how to do a skin check at home (and parents can share this information with their teens). Here's what to do:
Face the full-length mirror. Look at your face, ears, neck, stomach, and chest (people with breasts should lift them and evaluate the skin underneath). Then, go over the underarm areas on both sides, as well as the top and palm of both hands. Don't forget to look at the skin between your fingers and under your nails.
Sit down. While in a chair, asses your quads, shins, and the tops of both feet. As with the hands, you'll want to check between your toes and under the nails.
Grab the handheld mirror. Then, sit down again and use it to check the bottoms of your feet, calves, and hamstrings.
Keep the handheld mirror. You'll need it to evaluate your butt, genitals, back, neck, and ears. Struggling? Stand with your back to the full-length mirror, and use the hand mirror to get a better view of your body's reflection.
Get a comb or hair dryer and part your hair. Now, check the scalp.
Dr. Kazlouskaya suggests discussing the risks of excessive sun exposure early and even taking a shopping trip for cute, sun-protective clothing and hats. 'Knowledge is power, allowing individuals to develop healthy habits,' he says.
Dr. Guarnotta notes you can do the same with sunscreens. '[You] want to normalize sun protection as an act of self-care, not something that should be compromised for."
Experts say that actions speak louder than words. 'If you tell your teen to do certain things but are not actually showing it being done, it undermines the message,' explains Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith suggests using sunscreen, wearing sun umbrellas, and covering your skin, especially when you're outside for extended periods. That said, words also matter and are a part of role modeling.
'Are you making comments about your body, others' bodies, and/or your teen's body that communicate you and/or others need to 'fit in' and look or present a certain way?' Dr. Smith suggests asking yourself. 'If so, work to reduce how often, how intensely, or at least the types of comments you make, especially around your teen.'
Part of the issue with the 'check the UV' trend is that teens are often focused on living in the present versus the future.
'[This] time of life is associated with a sense of invincibility or at least limited awareness of how what one does now impacts future self, especially decades into the future,' says Dr. Smith.
While that has its benefits, having an eye on the future does, too. Dr. Smith says it's essential to help your teen connect their present and future self.
'Thinking of how 'tanned skin is technically damaged skin' is not a notion commonly enough discussed, but is one that you, as parents, can make sure your teen is aware of, starting preferably when they are younger,' Dr. Smith says. 'A teen thinking about how their actions now could impact skin cancer in the future is not going to come naturally, so talk about that reality. No, you do not have to scare your children and teens, but you can have helpful conversations that educate them on beneficial actions now that can also help future them.'
If it's not 'check the UV,' it's something else. Unfortunately, harmful social media trends aren't going anywhere, so thinking broadly and long-term about helping teens develop critical thinking skills—especially when it comes to digital content—is vital.
'Talk to your teen about what they see online and how not everything is healthy or realistic,' Dr. Guarnotta says. 'Discuss the role of filters, editing, and influencers to help them understand that the content that they are served is altered. Give your teen space to think through these issues with you and encourage their efforts to question what they see rather than take it at face value.'
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