What Is Maxxing? A Parent Guide to the Trend

What is "Maxxing"?

• The word comes from "maximizing." Dictionary.com defines it as pursuing an activity to the fullest, or optimizing a certain part of your life. Teens use it on its own or attach it to almost anything they're trying to improve
• Young people now use maxxing language for all kinds of goals, including sleep habits and fitness (source: BBC News)
• Some versions sound everyday and even playful. "Gymmaxxing" can mean working to get stronger, "sleepmaxxing" can mean trying to get better rest, and "cozymaxxing" can mean a relaxing night at home
• For some teens, it's a fun way to talk about their interests, set goals, and show excitement about a habit they're building
• "Looksmaxxing" is the version that focuses on appearance, and it has gained a lot of attention among boys and young men. Some videos offer ordinary advice about skincare, hairstyles, or fitness. Others go much further

What are the top concerns?

• A teen's desire to improve can go too far, especially with "looksmaxxing." Underneath a lot of this content is a message that a teen is never quite good enough
• Some "looksmaxxing" advice is fairly mild, but other practices can harm a teen's physical and mental health (source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
• Extreme versions can include very restrictive dieting, steroids or experimental products bought online, and dangerous attempts to change facial features, including a trend called bonesmashing
• Some apps use artificial intelligence to rate a teen's face, scoring features like the jawline, cheekbones, and skin. That kind of scoring can make a young person who already feels unsure about their looks feel even worse
• Health experts have also raised concerns about eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and how pressure from social media and other people shapes the way teens see themselves. Comparison is already a hard part of growing up with social media, and "looksmaxxing" can turn it into a constant project

What can parents do?

• If you hear your child say "maxxing," don't automatically assume something negative is going on. Take an interest first
• Ask your teen what they're working toward, where they're getting advice, and whether that content helps them feel more confident or leaves them feeling like they're never good enough
• Talk about how algorithms keep serving more of the same videos, and how some creators are trying to get clicks or sell products rather than give sound health advice
• Watch for signs that the focus on looks has become all-consuming, such as restrictive eating, a lot of distress about their face or muscles, or interest in supplements and online "fixes" that sound unsafe
• If you're worried about restrictive eating, supplements, or harmful advice about changing their face or body, talk with your child's doctor or a mental health professional. You don't have to wait for things to get worse
• Help your child notice strengths that have nothing to do with appearance, like a sport, a skill, a friendship, or something that simply makes them happy

In the News

On social media, many people in Generation Z and younger - those under 30 - post extensively about their maxxing efforts to achieve all sorts of perfection. - BBC News

Try this tonight

Start one calm conversation, maybe after dinner or on a car ride. Ask what they've been "maxxing" lately, then listen more than you talk.

• "I've been hearing the word "maxxing" a lot. What are you working on right now?"
• "Where do you usually get advice for that, and does it leave you feeling more confident or like you're never good enough?"

Conclusion

“Maxxing” isn't always a cause for concern, and for many teens, it can be a positive way to talk about personal goals and self-improvement. But parents should pay attention to the messages their children are seeing, especially when those messages suggest they need to constantly change or improve their appearance. Keep conversations open, encourage healthy goals, and remind your teen that their worth isn't measured by how they look or how much they can improve.

Additional Resources for Parents

The Impact of Screen Time on Motivation, Health & Academics

How Social Media is Influencing Student Behavior

Negative Impact of TikTok on Teens