Navigating Eating Disorder Content On Social Media
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter, dominate cyberculture for younger generations and beyond globally. Despite the tremendous efforts these platforms put into monitoring and banning triggering posts, we are subject to a wide array of content. However, the return of a culture perpetuated on Tumblr, a popular blog website during the early 2010s, brings concern over unfiltered content focusing on eating disorders.
By: Regina Colie
The Problem With #Hashtags And Algorithms
The problem lies with the content produced and how these platforms unwillingly distribute harmful content to their users. There is no denying that the glorification and promotion of eating disorder habits exist. Instagram and TikTok fail to hide this content from younger viewers on these apps. "With teenagers and children spending more time online than ever before, it appears to be more than coincidental that in less than a decade, the rate of eating disorders has risen by 119% in kids under 12," says Laura Pitcher in an article warning of the return of eating disorder culture. Despite the conversation on social media shifting to a more inclusive arena discussing body positivity and intuitive eating, it is still a dangerous scene for people susceptible to or struggling with eating disorders.
For example, researchers have gone undercover on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to analyze the content more deeply. Although eating disorder awareness organizations spread information and pop-up messaging on their websites to provide users with resources, a simple photo or a triggering hashtag can appear in anyone's feed. A study by author and professor Ysabel Gerrard revealed that content on Instagram and TikTok evade community guidelines by posting about harmful behaviors anyway. The more you interact with harmful content, the more your feed will suggest similar content.
Tips For Navigating Social Media
In a world seemingly dominated by social media, it can feel impossible to find corners of these interactive sites not steeped in diet culture or eating disorder content. Here are some tips to avoid running into pro-eating disorder accounts online:
Filter your feed to reflect the type of content you'd like to see. Do this by liking, saving, and sharing posts that promote compassion, inclusivity, mindfulness, or hobbies you enjoy.
Unfollow accounts that promote eating disorders, disordered eating, and dieting. Instead, find pages that showcase body trust, intuitive eating, and more.
See if your phone has a feature to limit screen time on certain apps to minimize scrolling through potentially harmful content. Or, you can set up a timer on your phone to let you know it’s time to close the app.
Consider taking a break from these social media platforms by deactivating your accounts or simply deleting the apps off your phone. Allow yourself to take a step back from social media. You may begin to feel a sense of relief.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained to diagnose and treat the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer individualized nutrition counseling, meal support with a licensed dietitian, and a variety of other groups and resources to assist those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call below with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is currently pursuing her Masters in General Psychology at The New School For Social Research. She is interested in working with women who have eating disorders and postpartum depression. Upon her graduation from Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development. Her previous work has been featured in Project HEAL, BALANCE, Olive Branch Nutrition, and Nourishing NY.
References
Pitcher, L. (2022, April 27). Tumblr Eating Disorder Culture Has Made It To TikTok. Nylon. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://www.nylon.com/beauty/tumblr-eating-disorder-content-is-on-tiktok-how-to-navigate-it
Matsakis, L. (2018, June 13). How Pro-Eating Disorder Posts Evade Filters on Social Media. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/how-pro-eating-disorder-posts-evade-social-media-filters/
Goldberg, A. (2022, February 2). What the Return of 2014 Tumblr Means For Body Image. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-the-return-of-2014-tumblr-means-for-body-image