Teenage boys cause facial injuries attempting jawline modification via looksmaxxing trend on social media

Summary

A dangerous trend known as "looksmaxxing" has gained traction on social media, with young boys as young as 10 reportedly using hammers to reshape their jawlines in pursuit of an idealized appearance. The trend is associated with Braden Eric Peters, known online as Clavicular, who has over one million followers and promotes extreme measures such as steroid use, self-injection, and crystal meth to enhance appearance. Clavicular was recently arrested on a battery charge and has a history of self-harm and risky behavior, including being expelled from school for possessing testosterone. The trend has been linked to severe psychological effects, including self-harm and suicidal ideation, with one teenager reportedly saying he would take his own life if he did not reach a certain height. The movement, which began in the 2010s, has expanded beyond online forums to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where influencers share before-and-after transformations, encouraging others to take similar risks. Experts warn that looksmaxxing can lead to serious emotional and physical consequences, including eating disorders, depression, and loss of self-esteem.