The start of a new year is full of resolutions, with ambitious diet and exercise goals among the most common. While improved health is a worthy aspiration, as with any undertaking, accurate information and expert advice are key to a positive outcome. For better or worse, when young people seek guidance, the internet is often their first stop. Unfortunately, social media is full of misinformation in the form of “fitness influencers” dispensing questionable, if not completely erroneous, counsel. If your teen is looking for #fitsperation, help them consider the source before committing to the program.

Knowledge really is power

According to industry estimates, there are more than 50,000 fitness and wellness influencers on Instagram alone. Some of these individuals are experts sharing science-backed tips, but many lack even basic qualifications, promoting advice that ranges from misguided to potentially dangerous, with a detrimental effect on the health and body image of teens. This isn’t just an issue for girls; boys are affected as well. A social media diet of perfect bodies consuming countless grams of protein as they muscle-up to impossible proportions can have a toxic effect on the self-esteem of young men, making them feel inadequate and anxious.

Trying to distinguish the helpful from the harmful isn’t always easy, but it’s important.

“Just because a trainer or an influencer has a nice body, doesn’t mean they have the proper education to back it,” says Monique Washington, owner of Tulsa’s Physiques by Monique.

Washington, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in health and sport sciences, has several decades of experience in the fitness field. According to her, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all, and getting advice from a qualified source is imperative.

“Ask questions,” she says. “Unfortunately, anyone can go online and get a personal training certification. There are even Groupon discounts for training certifications. It takes much longer than a month to learn and understand the human body. It’s so complex. You have muscular imbalances, injuries and even diseases which make each client different, which requires a different workout for each individual.”

Navigating the fitfluencer universe

Parents can also help their teens become discerning fitness content consumers. Start with a simple question: “How does this content (or this influencer) make me feel about myself and my body?” If following a particular account leads to feelings of guilt or shame, that’s a big red flag. Conversations that encourage kids to question the accuracy of social media content and discourage them from comparing their bodies to what they see online are one powerful way to nurture critical thinking about this topic.

Look for content that focuses on joy and confidence in movement, cultivating a healthy relationship with our bodies and encouraging exercise for functionality, strength and mental health. Conversely, avoid accounts that highlight before-and-after photos, fat loss or images that suggest individual body parts are objects that need to be perfected. Steer clear of the ubiquitous (and more often, fictitious) “What I Eat in a Day,” videos, where fitness influencers share detailed videos of their meals and snacks, complete with calorie and protein counts. Remind teens that these videos may not even be accurate and that many of these influencers are paid for promoting certain products.

Remember that the number of followers isn’t an indicator of the quality of the advice. Training and credentials matter. Be wary of influencers who venture outside their areas of expertise, especially when it comes to diet and nutrition.

Finally, encourage your teen to seek out accounts that feature a range of body types, ages and abilities. Help kids understand that good health and fitness look different for everyone.

Fitness IRL

Improving your health is a worthwhile goal, and it doesn’t have to involve a complicated routine, weird protein powder smoothies or a gym membership. Exercise guidelines for teens recommend 60 minutes or more of moderate to strong physical activity a day. For teenagers who aren’t involved in an organized sport, activities like skateboarding, yoga or dance count as well. Traveling to school on foot or bike, mowing the lawn or walking the family dog are practical ways to “exercise,” too.

As an adult, modeling healthy behavior is one of the best ways to support your teen. Take a close look at your own habits and beliefs around fitness, including your own social media consumption. Encourage open conversations around health, fitness and nutrition.

For more information and youth fitness options, visit ymcatulsa.org or TSET’s Healthy Youth Initiative (TSETHealthyYouth.com).

Julie Wenger Watson is a freelance writer who’s worked in all aspects of music promotion. She’s also Co-Director of “Live From Cain’s,” a public radio show pilot.