TikTok bans popular phrase and blocks its search results following concerns that it's 'harmful' and promotes eating disorders
TikTok has banned a widely used term and blocked all its search results amid concerns that it promotes eating disorders.
A hashtag and also a self-proclaimed online community, 'Skinntytok' has now been censored by the social media platform for fear it promotes extreme thinness and unhealthy weight loss techniques.
The video-sharing app implemented a worldwide crackdown on the term as of June 1, and took steps to restrict all search results for the hashtag.
The company said the new restriction is part of a 'regular review' to 'address evolving risks' on the site, but follows concerns raised by European regulators, according to the Mirror.
'Skinnytok' posts are typically targeted at young women, and see content creators sharing weight-loss techniques and guidance deemed unhealthy by many.
'We have blocked search results for #skinnytok since it has become linked to unhealthy weight loss content,' TikTok spokesperson Paolo Ganino said in a statement last week.
Now, users who search the term will be redirected to sources offering mental health support.
Before the ban, content associated with the hashtag reached a problematic crescendo, with the app awash with young women glamourising eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Both the European Commission and French digital regulator Arcom took notice and stepped in.
The European Commission investigated the trend after France's Digital Minister Clara Chappaz pushed for an in-depth exploration of the online sphere, and created a public petition titled 'Stop Skinnytok'.
When news of the ban broke, Clara wrote triumphantly on X: 'Skinnytok is OVER! This is a first collective victory. I salute it.
'However, the fight to protect our children online doesn't stop there. And I won't give up. Banning social media before 15 is my priority.'
The platform's ban is extensive, and even suppresses searches for the term 'SkinnierTok'.
Searching for either term on TikTok prompts the message: 'You're not alone.
Searching for either 'Skinnytok' or 'Skinniertok' on TikTok prompts the above message urging users to seek support
'If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food or exercise – it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone.
'If you feel comfortable, you can confide in someone you trust or check out the resources below. Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other.'
Also provided is a helpline number and a link to the platform's Eating Disorder Safety Centre page.
As many app users and content creators have already been quick to point out, banning the term is a win but not an absolute measure.
Similar hashtags have been suppressed for safety reasons, but users have proved savvy in dodging the guidelines and creating alternative search terms, even if it means speaking in code.
Nonetheless, social media platforms are being forced to take steps to protect the welfare of young and impressionable app users.
Under the Online Safety Act, coming into force this summer, social media companies will have to respond to and remove harmful content more quickly.
They will have to ensure they introduce rigorous age checking and take steps to tame dangerous algorithms.
And, as per Ofcom's children's safety codes which were published last week, tech companies must begin to assess the risk of harm to children on their platforms.
These protections will be legally enforceable from next month, and companies that do not comply could face serious penalties.
Before the ban, 'Don't reward yourself with food, you're not a dog' was one of the so-called affirmations sweeping Skinnytok.
Snappy phrases, inspired by Kate Moss's controversial 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels' saying, have become synonymous with restrictive diets that were being promoted.
And while the body positivity movement of the 2010s sought to celebrate diverse bodies, it seems Gen Z has become consumed by 'glow-up culture' reminiscent of the 90s.
Hiding behind a facade of gleaming exercise gear and Tupperware salads, the hashtag associated with more than half a million posts on TikTok promotes 1000-calorie diets and extreme exercise challenges.
Sophia Healy, who struggled with anorexia for six years, said social media helped fuel her eating disorder - and fears this will have a similar impact on young girls.
The 27-year-old told MailOnline: 'Social media 100 per cent glamorises it.
'You get some girls on TikTok talking about staying skinny and what they eat to stay skinny, like being skinny is the be-all and end-all, you have to be skinny to be happy.
'And then you get other people that constantly show what they eat in a day but it's the bare minimum thing but obviously you see it as a consumer and think I've got to eat like them to look like them.
'There was a time where curvy was considered "better". I followed influencers who were preaching body positivity and now they've suddenly got really skinny.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
40 minutes ago
- STV News
Warning over 'TikTok' imported Dubai chocolate posing health risk
A warning has been issued over imported Dubai chocolate amid fears some products pose a health risk. Dubai-style chocolate has become popular due to being promoted by 'influencers' on social media sites such as TikTok. The trend has led UK supermarkets such as Waitrose and Lidl to limit how many people can buy. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is raising awareness that some imported chocolate sold in the UK may pose a risk to those with food allergies. Health experts say the products could lack a full ingredients list or allergy labelling and may not meet the UK's food safety standards. They have identified a number of products that pose a health risk, but say most Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops is safe. Consumers are advised to check: the name of the food (e.g. milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling); a list of ingredients, with allergens emphasised; the weight of the food in grams; a best before or use by date; the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information – if the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Professor Robin May, chief scientific advisor to the FSA, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. 'If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you'd use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and are safe to eat. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. 'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this.' Anyone with concerns about chocolate products is being urged not to buy them and instead to report them to their local authority. For more information on food allergies, visit Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Mum's urgent warning after innocent UTI led to life-threatening condition – and all four of her limbs being amputated
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KIM Smith's hands and feet went black and had to be amputated after a common infection turned deadly. "I woke up at 4am and I thought I was going to die," the 63-year-old said in a TikTok video, recalling the day fateful day she woke up sick. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Kim Smith after her quadruple amputations. Credit: mediadrumworld/@kims2ndchance 5 Doctors diagnosed the mum with severe sepsis and put her into a coma Credit: mediadrumworld/@kims2ndchance The mum-of-two from Milton Keynes was on holiday with her family in Spain in 2018 when a simple urinary tract infection (UTI) spiralled out of control. A UTI is a common infection where bacteria infiltrates parts of the body like the bladder, kidneys and urethra. It often causes a painful burning sensation when urinating and the need to pee more often. Familiar with the signs, Kim, then 56, saw a doctor on November 28 2018 and was prescribed antibiotics. Read more on sepsis TAKEN TOO SOON Mum, 28, with stomach ache died after hospital staff failed to spot sepsis But the pharmacist did not have her prescription available for collection that day, so the former hairdresser returned to their hotel, where she quickly deteriorated. "I had severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion. I was really really cold. I had a fever and I was shivering like mad," she explained. Kim was rushed to hospital in the early hours of November 29 where doctors diagnosed her with severe sepsis - with the mum being put into a coma. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, which occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection. By the next day, her hands had already turned purple. For weeks, Kim remained in the Spanish hospital, with her family getting more and more concerned. My UTI turned out to be cancer & I had my vagina reconstructed with my bum Eventually, her daughter arranged an air ambulance to get her home, and two weeks after coming back to the UK Kim was brought out of her coma. Waking up, Kim saw her limbs had blackened and died, with doctors telling her she needed them to be removed. Once she recovered from the quadruple amputation, the mum spent 12 weeks in physical rehabilitation, where she regained her strength and learned to live without her limbs. If you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself Kim Smith Now, the mum wants to raise awareness for the little-known risk associated with common UTIs. "I want to tell you, if you need to go pee, go pee," she said. "Don't hold it, that could cause you to get an infection and that could develop into sepsis," she added. 5 The hairdresser before she developed sepsis Credit: SWNS 5 The mum is now raising awareness about sepsis symptom Credit: SWNS "The symptoms are severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion I had that I didn't pass much urine that day and I had a fever but I was really cold," she said. "If you get anything like that, if you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself," the mum urged her followers. She added: "Tell [doctors] something is not right and ask them to test you for sepsis. "Ask for a second opinion if you have to. Do not leave if you feel something is wrong." How UTIs and sepsis are related UTIs affect the urinary tract - including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. In the UK, 1.7 million people suffer recurrent UTIs (three or more a year). Around half of all women will get a UTI at some point. Common symptoms are burning pain when peeing, needing to go more often, and cloudy urine, which can also signal dehydration. Some may feel lower abdominal or back pain, fever, chills, or a dangerously low temperature below 36C. Severe symptoms may mean a kidney infection, which can lead to life-threatening sepsis if untreated. 5 Globally, sepsis kills 11 million people a year. In the UK, it claims 48,000 lives annually. Septic shock can cause blood clots that block oxygen to limbs which is when tissue dies, turning skin black. Doctors may try removing dead tissue, but if that fails, amputation is needed. UTIs are a leading cause of sepsis, known as the 'silent killer' because symptoms mimic flu. Key signs of sepsis include confusion, slurred speech, blotchy or blue-grey skin, difficulty breathing, and a rash that doesn't fade when pressed. Skin may be pale, cold, clammy, or show purple bruises. Producing less urine or not peeing for a day is another warning sign, as sepsis lowers blood pressure and blocks blood flow to kidneys. The NHS urges anyone with these symptoms to call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Mum's urgent warning after innocent UTI led to life-threatening condition – and all four of her limbs being amputated
KIM Smith's hands and feet went black and had to be amputated after a common infection turned deadly. "I woke up at 4am and I thought I was going to die," the 63-year-old said in a TikTok video, recalling the day fateful day she woke up sick. 5 The mum-of-two from Milton Keynes was on holiday with her family in Spain in 2018 when a simple urinary tract infection (UTI) spiralled out of control. A UTI is a common infection where bacteria infiltrates parts of the body like the bladder, kidneys and urethra. It often causes a painful burning sensation when urinating and the need to pee more often. Familiar with the signs, Kim, then 56, saw a doctor on November 28 2018 and was prescribed antibiotics. But the pharmacist did not have her prescription available for collection that day, so the former hairdresser returned to their hotel, where she quickly deteriorated. "I had severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion. I was really really cold. I had a fever and I was shivering like mad," she explained. Kim was rushed to hospital in the early hours of November 29 where doctors diagnosed her with severe sepsis - with the mum being put into a coma. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, which occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection. By the next day, her hands had already turned purple. For weeks, Kim remained in the Spanish hospital, with her family getting more and more concerned. My UTI turned out to be cancer & I had my vagina reconstructed with my bum Eventually, her daughter arranged an air ambulance to get her home, and two weeks after coming back to the UK Kim was brought out of her coma. Waking up, Kim saw her limbs had blackened and died, with doctors telling her she needed them to be removed. Once she recovered from the quadruple amputation, the mum spent 12 weeks in physical rehabilitation, where she regained her strength and learned to live without her limbs. If you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself Kim Smith Now, the mum wants to raise awareness for the little-known risk associated with common UTIs. "I want to tell you, if you need to go pee, go pee," she said. "Don't hold it, that could cause you to get an infection and that could develop into sepsis," she added. 5 5 "The symptoms are severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion I had that I didn't pass much urine that day and I had a fever but I was really cold," she said. "If you get anything like that, if you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself," the mum urged her followers. She added: "Tell [doctors] something is not right and ask them to test you for sepsis. "Ask for a second opinion if you have to. Do not leave if you feel something is wrong." How UTIs and sepsis are related UTIs affect the urinary tract - including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. In the UK, 1.7 million people suffer recurrent UTIs (three or more a year). Around half of all women will get a UTI at some point. Common symptoms are burning pain when peeing, needing to go more often, and cloudy urine, which can also signal dehydration. Some may feel lower abdominal or back pain, fever, chills, or a dangerously low temperature below 36C. Severe symptoms may mean a kidney infection, which can lead to life-threatening sepsis if untreated. 5 Globally, sepsis kills 11 million people a year. In the UK, it claims 48,000 lives annually. Septic shock can cause blood clots that block oxygen to limbs which is when tissue dies, turning skin black. Doctors may try removing dead tissue, but if that fails, amputation is needed. UTIs are a leading cause of sepsis, known as the 'silent killer' because symptoms mimic flu. Key signs of sepsis include confusion, slurred speech, blotchy or blue-grey skin, difficulty breathing, and a rash that doesn't fade when pressed. Skin may be pale, cold, clammy, or show purple bruises. Producing less urine or not peeing for a day is another warning sign, as sepsis lowers blood pressure and blocks blood flow to kidneys. The NHS urges anyone with these symptoms to call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
