As with other media sources, information shared on social media platforms can have a significant influence on a person’s mental health and wellbeing. Studies document that social media use is linked to negative body image, low self-esteem and eating disorders.
In this article we hear from an anorexia survivor who recovered with us here at Natural Food Therapy. She shares her appeal to TikTok– the world’s fastest growing social media app, and offers true insight into the world of recovery on social media.
My Appeal To TikTok
Dear Tiktok,
I wanted to write to you to make you aware of some of the struggles I have come across on your platform, as an anorexia fighter and survivor.
Firstly, I want to say that I think your app can be such a positive uplifting place. I have on many occasions fallen down a scrolling rabbit hole watching hilarious videos, and witnessing so much talent through your app. However, for those suffering with an eating disorder or for those at risk, there is a side to this app that can be extremely dangerous.
I know for me, I found myself fixating on many triggering accounts and posts, unaware of the detrimental consequences that they would have for me. This has played a part in the development of my eating disorder and has hindered my recovery.
TikTok is a very accessible way of showing 15 to 60 second video clips. In the recovery space it was once helpful to search for hashtags related to eating disorders. This provided me with support and motivation for recovery, through such a difficult and lonely journey. This however is no longer the case, and hashtags instead lead to videos that glorify eating disorders and promote disordered behaviours.
#Trending
Recently there has been a rise in the trending hashtag ‘what I eat in a day’ often used by those suffering with eating disorders or disordered eating. While suffering from such a competitive and comparative illness, seeing these videos enhanced my fear of foods. It made me compare what I was eating, taught me more unhealthy habits, and led me deeper into my already torturous eating disorder.
Even for those not in recovery, it can perpetuate an unhealthy relationship with food. For example, talking to a friend who previously had a healthy relationship with food, she expressed concerns after seeing these videos. She questioned whether these were the kind of restrictive eating patterns that she should be following. She also told me about the guilt she had felt about her balanced and healthy diet.
Another very triggering trend I have unwillingly witnessed is under the hashtag ‘outfit of the day’. I realise many of these videos are full of fashion-fuelled passion and are not harmful. However, in the eating disorder space, this is a trend that has become a way of body checking and intentionally portraying malnourished bodies.
I have found this extremely difficult to see, and it has left me comparing my body to others. It deterred me from healthy weight gain, which was so detrimental to my health.
Competitive nature of eating disorders
There is an unspoken competitiveness among the eating disorder community on TikTok, particularly those with anorexia. This is enhanced with videos of unwell eating disorder patients in hospital. Hospital photos and videos gain a lot of traction on social media, but that is not a reason to allow them to be posted.
The reason these videos are so popular is because they are eating disorder cognition enabling and comparison facilitating. They are incredibly triggering, which is precisely the material an eating disorder mind seeks out. The abundance of comments and views these videos are getting are not for the right reason. It does not aid the healing of those who are watching and suffering. Instead it fuels comparison and the feeling that ‘I’m not sick enough’.
Furthermore, many types of eating disorders or recovery stages, do not gain as much awareness as the critical stage of anorexia nervosa. This can leave sufferers feeling invalid, unheard and unworthy of support. Due to triggering content on TikTok, I too became a victim of this thought-pattern, and it led me to a critical outcome.
As an anorexia survivor I appeal to TikTok for change
I understand how these posts may not seem like an issue for creators or viewers without an eating disorder, but I hope this letter shines a light on how dangerous they can be. Furthermore, I believe this is something that could quite easily be changed and resolved.
I have seen this happen on other social media platforms such as Pinterest. They have made some positive changes to their algorithm recently and have been very vocal about it. They set up a ‘Creator Code’ to ensure creators follow 5 rules to make kindness a priority.
Pinterest’s ‘Creator Code’
1 . Be kind – ensure content doesn’t upset or put others down
2. Check facts – make sure information is accurate and factual
2. Be aware of triggers – practice discretion when it comes to virtually sensitive content
3. Practice inclusion – never intentionally exclude certain groups or communities
4. Do no harm – make sure any call to action or challenge is safe
Pinterest has shown the way
Pinterest has also recognised the rise of eating disorders and the harms of diet culture. They have updated their ad policy, to decrease the promotion of weight loss ads and encourage body positivity using the hashtag #pinterestwellbeing.
Pinterest’s new ad policy prohibits the following:
– Language or imagery that idealises or denigrates certain body types
– References to Body Mass Index (BMI) or similar indexes
– Products that claim weight loss through something worn or applied to the skin
– Imagery or language that mocks or discredits certain body types or appearances
– Unrealistic cosmetic results
– All searches related to eating disorders or ‘terms suggesting a restrictive mindset’
I hope this letter helps to clarify some of the issues that those with eating disorders face while using TikTok. The changes Pinterest have made are really comforting and helpful to those suffering, and has helped to create a much safer environment and recovery-friendly space. I hope TikTok will address the seriousness of these issues and put some supportive steps in place for us all.
Kind regards,
An anorexia survivor
Our thoughts: Anorexia Appeal To TikTok
We stand with this brave anorexia survivor and appeal to TikTok to make changes to the platform. We believe that regulations must be put in place for anyone using eating disorder hashtags or engaging in the eating disorder space on this platform. By putting in place such changes we can start to build a safer space that can fuel recovery, rather than fuel the eating disorder.
Discover the path to breaking free from anorexia with our comprehensive anorexia guide.
If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from an eating disorder, please get in touch to speak to one of our specialists.
