HomeAnswersPsychiatrybehavior disorderA 10-year-old girl behaves like a 16-year-old in the way of dressing and talking. Why?

Why does a 10-year-old behaves as a 16-year-old?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nithila. A

Published At September 13, 2019
Reviewed AtSeptember 13, 2019

Patient's Query

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.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Suresh Kumar G D
Dr. Suresh Kumar G D

Pediatrics

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Psychiatry

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy