What is GRWM, and what does it mean?

Emily Lawrenson

Qustodio writer

Have you ever seen the word GRWM in a video title on YouTube? Or stumbled across the hashtag on TikTok? The tag has over 67 billion views and counting, with videos such as “GRWM for a random day of school!” and “grwm for a party that i wasn’t invited to” garnering thousands of daily views. But what is the GRWM trend? Where did it start? And most importantly, just what does it mean?

What does GRWM stand for?

GRWM stands for “get ready with me”. These videos are popular across platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with vloggers or creators uploading a slice of their daily routine, usually putting on makeup or getting ready to go out for the day.

Videos can also be streamed live, allowing viewers to tune in to the GRWM in the moment, and interact as the creator gets ready for their morning, to go to school or college, or a special occasion such as a date.

What does GRWM mean on TikTok?

The hashtags #GRWM and #getreadywithme on TikTok have amassed billions of views, letting scrollers peek in on creators’ everyday lives. On TikTok, there’s no limit just to what people could be getting ready for: work in the morning, a big party, or simply just going to bed.

Aside from allowing followers to feel closer to the people behind the accounts they love, GRWM videos on TikTok give off more organic, honest vibes, compared to the heavily-filtered, edited version of themselves influencers often share online.

When did GRWM start?

“Get ready with me” videos first appeared in 2011 on YouTube, one of the earliest uploaded by New Zealand-based YouTuber Shaaanxo. The YouTuber’s first video in this format, titled Get Ready With Me 🙂 featured Shaaanxo presenting her makeup products to camera before applying them, sped up to a backdrop of music, with no talking and no explanations.

Over time, Shaaanxo began to upload more GRWM format videos, showing her getting ready to go out to the club, or prepping party makeup. Viewers loved the videos, and the trend gained momentum, evolving as creators began to talk fans through the products, share juicy gossip, and tell incredible stories as they got ready for the day or occasion.

Why is the GRWM trend so popular?

“Get ready with me” videos are part of a larger video trend often seen on YouTube, and shorter video sharing platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. “Soothing content”, showcasing day-to-day activities, provides viewers with a relaxing alternative to fast-paced, action-packed content, helping them unwind and escape with their favorite creators.

Just as with other trends such as the eating-video phenomenon mukbang, which started in South Korea as a way for people to “join in” and eat with streamers online, GRWM videos accompany people in solitary activities, giving viewers an on-screen companion as they too prepare for their day. With so much fakery on social media, GRWM videos could be seen as showing a more human side to creators, making them much more relatable.

Are GRWM videos safe for kids to watch?

Although overall the “get ready with me” trend is a relatively harmless, innocent look into how people prepare for their day, there are some more concerning aspects parents might want to consider.

1. Mixing GRWM with true crime

As “get ready with me” videos have been around on the internet for over a decade, it stands to reason that the genre has evolved from just makeup application, fusing with other popular trends on the internet such as ASMR, where creators record sounds and voice overs close to the microphone to elicit a pleasant, relaxing sensation for viewers.

One of the biggest crossovers for GRWM videos on YouTube comes in the form of true crime storytelling. YouTubers relate the details – often gory – of a true crime tale from far-flung or recent history, while going through the paces of applying a full face of makeup.

Murder mysteries and real-life horror stories are popular across most online content platforms, with thousands of podcasts, TikToks, and YouTube videos dedicated to their discussion. Using a victim’s real-life story, while casually applying mascara, all in the name of garnering extra views, however, could be seen as exploitative or offensive.

2. The young age of some GRWM creators

Kids spent 67 minutes per day watching YouTube in 2022, so it’s obvious that a huge chunk of the content uploaded to the platform is created with children in mind. Many GRWM videos showcase kids getting ready for their school day, or going out for a family gathering.

While this is pretty harmless content for kids to watch, it’s more concerning on the side of the creators themselves. When uploading GRWM videos to TikTok or YouTube, or any other online platform, young people could easily reveal more personal information – especially if it’s concerning their daily routine and habits.

If your child uploads their own content on any social media platform or video network, it’s important to talk to them about the permanency of content shared online, the risk of being doxxed or harassed, and how personal details should always be kept private.

3. Beauty influencers are big business

“Get ready with me” videos have become so popular that they are now often used as a marketing tool for beauty brands, partnering with influencers and creators to help them push products during their GRWM. Although the trend started as a more organic, wholesome way for people to show their everyday life, anything and everything on the internet can be easily monetized.

While it’s only natural that kids will be exposed to advertisements online, it’s important to talk to children and teens about the world of filters, sponsorships and influencers, and how they feel about the videos they’re seeing on the beauty side of the internet.

How to keep video content positive online

There are a few ways to help children’s video content consumption stay positive as they spend time online.

Watch videos together. Get your child or teen to show you some of the content they’ve been enjoying recently, and talk about it together.
Show interest in their interests. Talking about online trends and people they follow online will allow you to bond with your child, while also giving you a fair idea of the type of content they’re exposed to.
Make use of parental controls. Help keep younger children safe and entertained by setting limits on sites and services you’re not comfortable with them using, and if you think your child is ready for social media, use these tools to check in with them whenever you feel it’s appropriate.
Turn off autoplay and limit scrolling. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are designed to keep users on there, watching video after video. Put time limits on your children’s social media use to help them be more intentional in their viewing, and turn off autoplay on YouTube to ensure they don’t stray down the rabbit hole of bottomless content.

As a family, you can work together to help keep your child’s interests healthy and safe online. Remind them you’re always there to talk, and have regular, ongoing communication with them about their online hobbies and interests. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn!