Hello doctor,I am asking about a 10-year-old girl. She is acting like she is much older than her age (in the wrong way). She is exhibiting behaviors of a 16-year-old, and it is very concerning. She is wearing heavy makeup, making lip-syncing videos using songs that have explicit language and talk about topics like sex, drugs, and alcohol. She is also trying to dress like she is 16 as well. She has a sister who is 21, and I think that she is trying to act like her, but her sister does not make these types of videos or work in this sort of way. Kindly advice on what to do.
Hello,  Welcome to icliniq.com. From your description, it appears that the 10-year old girl in your family is modeling her behavior and trying to emulate some women around her. There may be a socio-cultural element that is driving this behavior, but the young girl's safety needs to be prioritized. Developmentally she is very young to be indulging in these type of practice and will not be mature enough to handle the unwanted attention. She may be putting herself in a vulnerable position by posting age-inappropriate videos. How is she doing in other aspects of life generally? How is she managing at school? How is she getting on with her friends? She needs more support and supervision from her parents or responsible adults in the family. Are you directly related to this young girl? 1) Try to discuss your concerns with the girl's parents or responsible adults in the family. Make sure there no safeguarding issues. 2) Try to be friendly and supportive of the girl. She should not be handled punitively but offered support and encourage her to talk. 3) Try to limit access to the internet and social media without supervision. 4) Encourage her to participate in healthy sports and play activities. 5) If there are any other emotional or behavioral problems, try to get her seen by a counselor or school counselor who can explore further and support accordingly.