Best Version of Yourself? TikToxic Effects of That-Girl Videos on Mood, Body Satisfaction, Dieting Intentions, and Self Discipline

Silvana Weber (), Michelle Sadler and Christoph Mengelkamp
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Silvana Weber: Institute of Human-Computer-Media, Psychology of Communication and New Media, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
Michelle Sadler: Institute of Human-Computer-Media, Psychology of Communication and New Media, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
Christoph Mengelkamp: Institute of Human-Computer-Media, Psychology of Communication and New Media, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: The “That Girl” self-optimization trend on TikTok, promoting beauty and productivity, had over 17.4 billion views by August 2024. “That Girl” video clips showcase perfectly organized daily routines, fitness activities, and healthy eating—allegedly to inspire other users to aspire to similar flawlessness. Based on social comparison theory, the “That Girl” archetype serves as an upward comparison target. We expected detrimental effects of viewing “That Girl” content on young women in terms of positive and negative affect and body satisfaction. Expanding other research in this area, possible effects on self-discipline and dieting intentions were explored. Focusing on immediate intraindividual changes, a preregistered two-group online experiment using a pre–post measurement design was conducted. Female participants ( N = 76) watched four minutes of either 16 video clips showing “That Girl” content or nature videos (control condition). Mixed ANOVAs provided evidence of a significant adverse influence of watching “That Girl” videos on female recipients regarding all dependent variables with medium or large effect sizes. Post-hoc analyses revealed that these effects were driven by participants who reported upward comparisons to “That Girls”. Based on these results, the positive impact on self-improvement—as proclaimed by contributors of the “That Girl” trend—is critically questioned.

Keywords: social comparison; digital media; self; body image; self-discipline; TikTok (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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