Suntan social media trend sparks new call to be Sun Smart

It's been 10 years since commercial tanning salons were banned in Australia. However, there are still many Australians still sunbathing - and now the sunbathing trend is attracting the attention of millions on social media.

Young woman pulling down bikini bottom to reveal tan line, close-up Credit: Jonathan Storey/Getty Images

The sunbathing trend with the hashtag #sunburnttanlines has been viewed more than two million times on Tik Tok this summer.

Many people on social media are railing against the harmful effects of this sunbathing trend.

We were a little disturbed to see this trend on Tik Tok of young people, particularly the girls, deliberately going out and getting suntan lines. And that led us to think it was time to try once again to continue to spread the message about sun safety. And just to remind people on how damaging the sun and UV radiation is.

Dr Andrew Dettrick is Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast

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