First published: 15/08/2024
A recent study has raised alarms about the negative impact of TikTok videos that glamorise eating disorders on women's body image. According to the research, women exposed to these types of videos, which include what researchers term "pro-anorexia" content, tend to experience a significant pro-anorexia decline in body satisfaction and an increased internalisation of unrealistic beauty standards.
The study, conducted by Madison Blackburn and Rachel Hogg from Charles Sturt University in Australia, found that even brief exposure to these harmful TikTok videos can have immediate negative effects. "Our study showed that less than 10 minutes of exposure to implicit and explicit pro-anorexia TikTok content had immediate negative consequences for body image states and internalisation of appearance ideals," Blackburn and Hogg wrote.
TikTok, which boasts immense popularity among young users worldwide, utilises an algorithm that curates a customised "For You" page based on individual user preferences. This means that if young women express an interest in weight loss or fitness content, their feeds can quickly become saturated with similar videos, potentially including harmful content that glamorises disordered eating.
To assess the impact of such content, Blackburn and Hogg surveyed 273 women aged 18 to 28. They asked participants about their TikTok usage and assessed symptoms of disordered eating, including anorexia, bulimia, and orthorexia - a condition characterised by an unhealthy obsession with eating only "pure" or "healthy" foods.
The participants were then randomly divided into two groups. One group watched seven to eight minutes of TikTok videos that showcased disordered eating behaviours, such as starvation, extreme workouts, juice cleanses, and weight-loss tips. The other group watched neutral TikTok content focused on nature, cooking, and animals.
The results were concerning: those who watched the pro-anorexia content reported a greater decline in body image satisfaction and a heightened internalisation of beauty standards compared to those who watched neutral content.
In response to the study, TikTok issued a statement acknowledging the research but criticised its methodology. "The study has significant limitations, does not reflect the experience of our community, and was conducted three years ago," the company said. "We continually enhance our platform and policies to promote a positive and safe experience, and regularly consult with experts, remove content that violates our policies, and provide access to supportive resources."
Despite TikTok's assurances, the study's authors argue that the platform needs to take stronger action to control the spread of pro-anorexia content. The findings indicate that "psychological harm can occur for young female TikTok users even when explicit pro-anorexia content is not sought out and when TikTok use is of a short duration."
The study was published on August 7 in the journal PLOS ONE and has added to the ongoing debate about the responsibility of social media platforms in safeguarding the mental health of their users, particularly vulnerable young women.
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