More than 3,300 counselling sessions were delivered last year as young people described pressure from influencers, calorie-counting videos and unrealistic beauty standards

CHILDLINE is preparing for an increase in children and young people seeking support over body image concerns and eating disorders during the summer holidays.

New figures from the NSPCC-run service show that 3,364 counselling sessions were delivered between April 2025 and March 2026 to young people worried about their appearance, weight or relationship with food.

Demand was particularly high during the summer, with almost 1,000 sessions taking place across June, July and August.

Childline says warmer weather and the approach of family holidays can intensify anxiety among young people who feel uncomfortable wearing summer clothing or swimwear.

Counsellors are also hearing from children who feel under pressure to look like influencers they follow online.

Some have described repeatedly watching “what I eat in a day” and calorie-counting videos, which can encourage unhealthy habits including severe food restriction.

A 15-year-old from Wales told the service: “I hate everything about my body. I try to restrict for as long as I can, but then I binge and feel guilty that I ruined any progress that I made.

“I have so many other things I should be focusing on, like my friends and my exams, but weight and calories are all I can think about.”

Another girl, aged 12, described how bullying and comparisons with people she saw online had affected her eating.

She said: “This girl at school would always call me fat. My friends are all skinny, the girls I see on TikTok are skinny.

“I started purging and skipping meals last year and I’m finally skinny, but mum finally noticed and gets angry when I don’t eat properly. I can’t go back to eating three meals a day again, I can’t go back to being fat.”

Shaun Friel, Childline director, said the summer could place additional pressure on children who already felt anxious about their bodies.

He said: “With the warm weather continuing and families planning their summer holidays, young people might be finding themselves in positions where they feel anxious about their body.

“To cope, some young people are taking drastic measures, such as restricting their food intake or, in some instances, developing disordered eating behaviours.

“Children are also telling us that unrealistic beauty standards are affecting their wellbeing and self-worth, with many comparing themselves to others, particularly influencers on social media.

“Childline wants every young person to know that whatever they’re going through, our trained counsellors are here to listen without judgment. Seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.”

Advice for parents

The NSPCC is encouraging parents and carers to be mindful of how they speak about their own bodies and the appearance of others in front of children.

Conversations about food and exercise should focus on health, strength and wellbeing rather than weight or appearance.

Parents are also advised to take concerns seriously, listen without judgment and avoid dismissing a child’s feelings by simply telling them they “look fine”.

They can help children understand that photographs and videos online are often edited or present unrealistic standards, while limiting exposure to content that promotes extreme dieting or unhealthy attitudes towards weight.

Warning signs can include sudden changes in eating habits, excessive exercise, low mood, secrecy around food or withdrawal from friends and family.

Early support can be important, and parents should consider seeking professional advice where they notice worrying behaviour.

Children can contact Childline free on 0800 1111 or speak to a counsellor through the Childline website using email or one-to-one online chat.

Source: NSPCC Cymru press release.

David Guy is accused of assaulting a woman and possessing an air rifle with intent to cause fear of violence

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been remanded in custody after denying three charges, including possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

David Guy, aged 50, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 23.

Guy is accused of possessing an air rifle between May 1 and May 17 with the intention of causing Rebecca Hughes to believe that unlawful violence would be used against her or another person.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was brought under the Firearms Act 1968.

Guy also denies assaulting Ms Hughes and causing her actual bodily harm in Haverfordwest on May 17.

A third charge alleges that he committed a common assault against her between May 1 and May 17. He has also entered a not guilty plea to that allegation.

Magistrates sent all three charges to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody after the court heard concerns that he might commit further offences causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person, or interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice.

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Friday, July 24.

The magistrates were Mr D Fawcett, Mr J Steadman and a third member of the bench. Sian Vaughan appeared for the prosecution and Alaw Harries represented Guy.

RNLI volunteers and a Coastguard rescue team helped carry the casualty from Aberavon Beach after a suspected knee dislocation

MILFORD HAVEN Coastguard helped coordinate a multi-agency rescue after a paddleboarder was injured in the water at Aberavon Beach.

The incident happened on Tuesday (July 7), close to the North Breakwater, after the paddleboarder reportedly fell from their board and suffered a suspected dislocated knee.

Port Talbot RNLI volunteers had just completed a scheduled training exercise in Swansea Bay when they were tasked by Coastguard controllers at Milford Haven to assist the casualty.

The station’s lifeboat, Craig Morris, made its way to the scene, where the crew located the injured paddleboarder in shallow water close to the shoreline.

Helm Carl Matthews decided to beach the lifeboat, allowing the volunteers to reach the casualty quickly and begin administering first aid.

After assessing the paddleboarder’s injuries and bringing them safely ashore, the crew requested assistance from the Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Team.

Working together, the RNLI and Coastguard volunteers carefully carried the casualty from the beach to a family member’s vehicle. They were then taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris said: “Our crew responded very quickly to this incident, arriving within minutes of the call being made.

“Thanks to their training in casualty care, they were able to administer immediate treatment to the casualty.

“Working closely with our colleagues from Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Team, the casualty was safely extracted from the location. Our crews train for all eventualities and this incident demonstrated the value of that training.

“This was another excellent example of the lifeboat and Coastguard working hand in hand, highlighting the importance of multi-agency teamwork in achieving the best possible outcome. We wish the casualty well in their recovery.”

The incident highlights the role played by the Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, where Coastguard officers coordinate responses to emergencies around the Welsh coastline.

The RNLI is reminding paddleboarders and other water users to carry a reliable means of calling for help and to wear an appropriate personal flotation device.

Anyone who sees a person in difficulty at the coast should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.