Social media platform promoting slimming advice may pose hidden hazards for users' health
Hot Take on TikTok's Toxic Weight Loss Trends
In the digital world, damaging ideas fester in the dark corners – but now, a popular TikTok trend is shining a light on hazardous pro-eating disorder content, exposing millions of people to the danger.
The viral weight-loss hashtag #SkinnyTok extends past ordinary fitness advice, promoting unsafe levels of restriction coupled with verbal assault.
Those in recovery from anorexia voice concerns about the dire health risks this trend poses, particularly for young women, who are often the targets of these weight loss messages.
Online content championing eating disorder behaviors isn't new, but TikTok's video format and algorithm spread this type of content far and wide rather than keeping it confined to smaller communities.
TikTok chose not to directly address my questions, but a spokesperson shared some steps the company claims to take, such as interfering with repetitive content and guiding users to mental health resources. Users looking to minimize weight loss content have the option to filter specific words and hashtags.
Despite this policy, which prohibits promoting disordered eating and dangerous weight loss behaviors, shocking videos continue to thrive on the platform.
Pro-Eating disorder Content: Mainstream or Insidious?
According to Mallary Tenore Tarpley, assistant professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, author of the upcoming book "Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery", pro-eating disorder content on sites like Tumblr or X were once niche and directed mostly towards those struggling with eating disorders. In contrast, #SkinnyTok is out in the open, even seemingly healthy.
Tarpley fears the average viewer is unlikely to recognize the extreme and dangerous nature of these messages since they are presented as a wellness movement or healthy eating.
Clinical social worker Shira Rosenbluth, recognizes this resurgence of damaging messages as surprising. "It's still doing this twentysomething years later?" questioned Rosenbluth, "Isn't it time we move past glorifying eating disorders and disordered eating?"
A Modern Dance with Danger
While some defenders argue the content isn't meant to be taken seriously, Tarpley finds the trending motifs often depict specific anorexia symptoms. Inevitable conversations about food restriction and aggressive language echo the inner torment of people with eating disorders.
Demeaning messages about a person's eating and body shape are popular on #SkinnyTok, and Rosenbluth understands why people are attracted to such negativity. "It's almost like an abuse victim who thinks that's what they deserve," said Rosenbluth, who is in recovery from anorexia, "I'm thinking about larger teenagers who have been taught that their body is bad and their body is wrong, and that they need to do everything they can to change their body."
The dangerous nature of these trends can make it difficult for parents to recognize them, as content claiming to promote health and fitness often hides the hidden dangers. TikTok's failure to effectively moderate these harmful trends leaves young people vulnerable.
It is crucial for parents to take notice of their children's eating and exercise habits and seek professional help if concerns arise.
- Pro-eating disorder content on social media platforms, such as TikTok's #SkinnyTok, is no longer relegated to niche communities like Tumblr or X, but has instead become mainstream and is presented as a wellness movement or healthy eating.
- Clinical social worker Shira Rosenbluth raises concerns that the average viewer may not recognize the extreme and dangerous nature of these messages, as they are often disguised as a wellness movement or healthy eating.
- The return of damaging messages about eating disorders and disordered eating is surprising to some, like clinical social worker Shira Rosenbluth, who questions if it's "time we move past glorifying eating disorders and disordered eating."
- The dangerous nature of diet and exercise trends on social media can be hard for parents to recognize, as content claiming to promote health and fitness often hides hidden dangers, making young people vulnerable.
