Latest news with #SkinnyTok
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
TikTok Bans #SkinnyTok, But Experts Say More Is Needed
TikTok recently announced that it blocked search results for the hashtag #SkinnyTok due to its association with unhealthy weight loss content. The ban occurred after several European policymakers began investigating the app's impact on youth mental health. In the U.S., eating disorder experts say the ban is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to stop the glamorization of weight loss. "It will help by making a statement," says Stephanie Michele, an intuitive eating coach and co-host of the podcast Life After Diets. "When bigger systems call out a social trend as harmful, and change their rules around how that trend is available, it sends a message. It's a short-term win." The issue, says Michele, is that this type of content is likely to reappear under a different hashtag. "The root issues like systemic fatphobia, beauty privilege, and social media algorithms that reward thinness still need to be addressed," she says. Banning a hashtag seems like a step in the right direction, says Cynthia Vejar, PhD, the director and associate professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lebanon Valley College. "It shows that platforms are trying to take some responsibility for the kind of content they allow and promote. Removing this specific tag may minimize how easily users can engage with triggering or harmful content." Still, Vejar cautions that bans can backfire since there's a natural human tendency to be curious about what's off-limits. "Bans can unintentionally make something more appealing just because it's taboo. Especially online, internet users can code [their] language and create secret communities to sidestep bans.""A once-banned term gets replaced by another. It might be #fitspo this week and #almondmomcore the next. What [isn't changing] is the underlying value system—that thinness equals worth. Until that changes, the harmful messaging will keep popping up under different names."Even without #SkinnyTok, Vejar explains that they may use different spellings, new hashtags, or code words. Moreover, this ban scratches the surface of a much bigger issue: TikTok's algorithm doesn't rely on hashtags alone. According to Michele, if someone engages with body-centric content once, they're often fed more of it, whether the label is banned or not. So, teens may still be seeing harmful messaging about weight and body types. "Language evolves quickly in these online spaces," says Michele. "A once-banned term gets replaced by another. It might be #fitspo this week and #almondmomcore the next. What [isn't changing] is the underlying value system—that thinness equals worth. Until that changes, the harmful messaging will keep popping up under different names." Social media didn't invent body image issues, but it absolutely amplifies them, says Michele. "It can be especially dangerous when it reinforces a false sense of virtue, like when restrictive eating or compulsive exercise is framed as 'wellness' or 'discipline.' That kind of content is everywhere, and it gets disguised as empowerment." Disordered eating is also easy to disguise, says Alyson Curtis, LMHC, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, binge eating, emotional eating, and body image concerns. "You've got young people, influencers, and [other people] promoting low-calorie 'WIEIAD' (what I eat in a day) videos, or boasting about losing X amount of weight in X amount of time, and the content all flies under the radar. " According to Curtis, this happens because the definition of disordered eating isn't widely established, creating an uphill battle for professionals to spread correct information. "We're up against industries that not only want, but need, a new generation of young [people] to become obsessed with how they look, with feeling inferior, so that they become lifetime buyers of their products." While most experts agree that the #SkinnyTok ban is a step in the right direction, they say much more needs to be done. To start, Michele says platforms like TikTok need to take more responsibility for the content their algorithms push. Once someone has viewed enough weight loss content, or #SkinnyTok posts, they will continue receiving those messages from similar content or hashtags. "We also need larger media and marketing to change," she says. "That includes more diverse body representation in movies and television and advertisements; better education on the biology of appetite and weight; and less emphasis on weight loss as the end-all-be-all overall." She also notes that eating disorders don't always look like extreme thinness. "Most disordered eating lives in people who appear normal or even healthy by societal standards, and they're often praised for it," she explains. Teachers and school administrators also need to have honest conversations about body image and mental health, and do more to educate young people about media literacy, says Vejar. "Media literacy should be included in the curriculum so kids can better understand how content is filtered and unrealistic." Curtis agrees. Children need to learn that some online content can be predatory, especially if it promotes thinness, disordered eating, and ultimately that they are not enough, she says. "If you're a young person and you have never been educated on the predatory nature of these practically immediately indoctrinated into a cultural value of—be pretty for us, be cool, be thin," she says. "Young people so badly want to be cool and to fit in. The initiation into this warped cultural value is essentially seamless." Vejar recommends having open, honest, judgment-free conversations with your kids. "Ask questions, but also listen, and be present and supportive." Focus on how your child feels, not how they look. Instead of saying, 'You look so skinny in that outfit,' try saying, 'You look happy,' or 'You seem confident today.' Here are some additional things you can do: Get professional help early if you suspect a problem. Therapists, dietitians, or healthcare providers who specialize in eating disorders can be crucial to your child's recovery, says Vejar. Model healthy behavior. Your kids notice if you obsess about weight or make negative body comments. "If they hear you criticizing your body or glorifying restraint, they're learning that message, too," says Michele. Educate yourself. Vejar suggests learning the warning signs and understanding the mental health side of disordered eating so you can get help and intervention when needed. Monitor social media. Be aware of what kind of content your child is exposed to online, suggests Vejar. Talk to them about what they are watching and how it makes them feel. Be curious but not controlling. According to Michele, eating behaviors are usually a symptom of something else, and the goal is to build trust so your child can let you in. Allow them to talk freely without judgment and help them find tools that will help them recover. Expose them to positive messages. Curtis says she recalls reading interviews with Kate Winslet when she was a teen battling an eating disorder. "Her sole voice, advocating for body diversity and acceptance, kept me from truly diving into an irrevocable descent with my eating."If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline for support at 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to the original article on Parents
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
New TikTok diet trend sparks backlash as experts warn it's fueling a dangerous new wave of harmful eating habits
TikTok is now full of harmful diet culture under the hashtag " SkinnyTok ," which promotes extreme weight loss, low-calorie diets, and unhealthy body standards. Experts say this isn't just a passing trend; it's causing real mental and physical health problems, especially for teens and young women. What is 'SkinnyTok' and why is it so harmful? A new wave of harmful eating habits is being fueled by the harmful TikTok trend. SkinnyTok seems to be reviving traditional diet culture in the digital era. The term "SkinnyTok" describes a section of the internet where users freely share their weight loss experiences, share "body checks" (videos in which users weigh and measure themselves), and post "what I eat in a day" videos with startlingly low calorie counts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Honda's New 2025 CRV Is Breathtaking (Take a Look) Today's Hot Trending SUVs Undo A community where extreme calorie deficits are glamourized, thinness is idolized, and the pursuit of a shrinking body is celebrated, often at the expense of mental and physical health, lies behind the trendy filters and catchy sounds, as per a report by The NY Post. Can social media really cause eating disorders? Jenny Haythorne, a podcaster, speaker, and confidence coach, has personal experience with the harm that online diet culture can cause. She feels that she would never have experienced the severity of her eating disorder, depression, and anxiety if it weren't for social media. Live Events ALSO READ: She's a Japanese nutritionist and skips American sweets—these 5 tasty foods curb sugar cravings the smart way How do body ideals keep shifting? Since online trends are cyclical, body ideals have changed over time, going from being extremely thin to toned and athletic to having the "Kim Kardashian" hourglass and back to being simply "plain thin." Since the ideal body has consistently been a smaller one, something she fervently hopes we can alter in the future, she is skeptical of its practical implications. Why is SkinnyTok content so hard to spot as harmful? SkinnyTok content can harm its audience by promoting unhealthy associations with food and bodies. The harm is not always evident, though, as meal inspiration videos and seemingly harmless "before and after" pictures perpetuate the notion that eating less is preferable and that following someone else's diet will result in the same body. What's the real damage caused by eating disorders? SkinnyTok can cause and worsen disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders, according to psychologist Carly Dober. These patterns affect how people view and assess bodies, which can have an effect on their relationships, employment, and educational opportunities, as per a report by The NY Post. Eating disorders can have serious physical repercussions besides psychological ones, as they can damage the heart, digestive tract, bones, teeth, and mouth. Who is most at risk from these trends? Adolescents, women going through significant life transitions, women with diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome, athletes, people with a family history of eating disorders, and anyone looking for weight loss assistance or who has previously engaged in dieting or disordered eating are among the groups most at risk. How can users protect their mental health online? GP Dr. Zac advises people to be cautious when looking for health advice online , particularly from untrained creators. He advises avoiding extremes, seeking out evidence-based sources, focusing on sustainable health, avoiding quick fixes, and striving for aesthetic perfection. Organize your feed: mute or block content and authors who encourage unhealthy habits; Employ platform tools: If at all possible, eliminate triggering keywords; Set screen time limits : Cut down on pointless scrolling to steer clear of algorithmic rabbit holes and follow reputable accounts; Embrace positivity and awareness : Encourage self-compassion, mental wellness, and body neutrality; Look for assistance: If you're having trouble, get in touch with a psychologist or other qualified expert. Is TikTok doing anything to stop this harmful trend? TikTok has made an effort to restrict this content. Some influencers have been banned, including Liv Schmidt, who amassed over 670,000 followers with her "blonde and skinny" persona. However, it appears that the algorithm continues to present the very content that it says it shields users from. FAQs Why is 'SkinnyTok' considered dangerous? It encourages extreme diets, glorifies weight loss at all costs, and exacerbates body image issues among vulnerable users. How do I avoid triggering diet content? Curate your feed, limit your screen time, and follow creators who value balance, body neutrality, and mental health.
India Today
a day ago
- Health
- India Today
TikTok says no to #SkinnyTok. Does it mean a win for mental health?
This is a digital-first world. Smartphones are no longer a true luxury but more of a necessity. And of course, this comes with a price, metaphorically (and yes, literally too). Then comes the Internet. It's a love-hate relationship, no doubt. On social media, you can express opinions, explore new things, and even use it to scout jobs. The pros are too many, and so are the you are someone who has been active on social media, chances are you have already been served the idea of a healthy diet culture in a reel, amongst all the other things the internet may push your way.#SkinnyTok is one such trend on TikTok. This viral trend's concept of fitness is being as thin as possible. Shrinking waistlines have become a social flex. In the guise of wellness or weight-loss tips, the content following this hashtag is about dangerously restrictive dietary methods. Now, the social media platform has banned the hashtag and instead redirects users to a mental health resource it is just like any other viral hashtag, trends like #SkinnyTok and 'What I Eat in a Day' are feeding more than just engagement, they are feeding eating disorders, to recent studies, social media plays a major role in this. Data further highlights that women are more susceptible to falling prey to these bans #skinnytokOne 'harmless' scroll (apparently), and the next thing you know, you have this urge to simply believe and start following whatever the reels and videos are showing. #SkinnyTok is a glaring example of takes just one video for you to show interest, then the algorithm floods you with more, even if you don't want it, until you do. #SkinnyTok idealised extreme weight loss. Under the guise of fitness, the hashtag promoted content about unhealthy weight loss. Eventually, it snowballed into an unsaid competition about waistlines, thigh gaps, and who is the thinnest of them all. Truth be told, it's a game you are meant to lose, and you might not even realise it comes to treating patients with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa, experts have expressed how misinformation and social media influencers have become a major hurdle. "The patients are completely indoctrinated, and my 45-minute weekly consultation is no match for spending hours every day on TikTok," nutritionist Carole Copti told to of eating disordersIt may sound like a physiological problem, but eating disorders are a mental health issue (mostly). These are psychological disorders characterised by abnormal eating habits and distorted weight-control behaviours. Research shows that the prevalence of eating disorders has significantly surged over the years, from 3.5 per cent in 2000 to 7.8 per cent in much? Not quite. That timeline also matches the rise and diversification of social media into our everyday lives. Social media has become an inevitable part of our lives. (Photo: Pexels) "Eating disorders are more prevalent amongst adolescent females, with 5.7 per cent affected, compared to 1.2 per cent of adolescent males," a 2024 study in Front Psychiatry per a systematic review published in JAMA Paediatrics, teenage females are at an alarmingly high risk of developing eating problems, which have been linked to severe emotional anguish and medical issues. It states that, "Compared to boys, girls are three times more likely to exhibit an eating disorder by the age of 15."Why women?advertisementThe answer is twofold - it's the biology as well as the culture. 'Biologically, a woman's life is governed by certain hormones, and she experiences hormonal fluctuations throughout her lifetime. These hormones specifically influence her eating behaviours,' says Dr. Sonali Chaturvedi, consultant, psychology, Arete Hospitals, tells India Today. Women are more prone to developing eating disorders (Photo: Pexels) But that's not it. Unrealistic beauty standards for women are at play too."Society expects women to look in a certain way, to maintain a certain ideal body weight. They compare themselves with certain 'ideal' body images and have low self-esteem in case if they are not able to maintain that. So, that is the reason: where they grow up in an environment where they are not confident about how they look, their appearances, their body weight, and they end up having certain eating disorders," she validation that one gets on social media can take a heavy toll on the mind, body and soul trends thrive on self-esteem, one like and comment at a Reel
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
TikTok blocks use of popular hashtag after concerns it promotes eating disorders
On June 1, TikTok blocked search results for 'Skinnytok' following a rising trend of dangerous content promoting eating disorders on the platform and concerns raised by European regulators TikTok has implemented a worldwide ban on a popular hashtag for its link to the promotion of extreme diets and exercise regimes. The company said the block is part of a regular review to 'address evolving risks' on its platform but comes after concerns were raised by European regulators. As of June 1, TikTok has blocked search results for 'SkinnyTok' and removed the hashtag globally. Content associated with the hashtag typically included videos targeting young women promoting extreme thinness and unhealthy ways to lose weight. "[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 issued on Monday, June 2. Ganino said the move is part of a "regular review" of TikTok's safety measures "to address evolving risks". Users who now search for the hashtag will be directed to mental health support. The ban follows a boom in the trend in recent months, which saw the platform flooded with videos for and by young women glamourizing eating disorders like anorexia. The rise in the dangerous content reached the attention of both the European Commission and the French digital regulator Arcom. The European Commission investigated the 'Skinnytok' trend after France's Digital Minister Clara Chappaz lobbied for an investigation and created a public petition entitled to 'Stop Skinnytok'. After news of the ban was made public, Chappaz shared her excitement on X. 'Skinnytok is OVER!' the minister posted. '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 protection of kids online is growing priority as countries consider proposals for new EU rules to curb children's social media use. TikTok's duty to guard against the harmful effects of the SkinnyTok hashtag were a feature of a call between the EU's Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath and TikTok CEO Shou Chew, as reported by Politico . Currently any search for 'skinnytok' or even 'skinniertok' yields the following message: 'You're not alone. 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.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! The message is followed by a help phone number and a link to the platform's Eating Disorder Safety Centre page. While it's a step forward, the ban will not necessarily mean the 'Skinnytok' trend is over. The TikTok community has a strong track record of pivoting with agility to navigate new regulations and user guidelines with new hashtags and code words. Still, social media platforms are being forced to take more accountability for the wellbeing of young users. A legal responsibility for online services to make their sites safe for children will finally come into force in this summer. Under the Online Safety Act, social media firms will be ordered to ensure they tame toxic algorithms, take faster action on removing harmful content and introduce proper age checks on their platforms. Tech companies will now be expected to begin assessing the risk of harm to children on their platforms after Ofcom's final children's safety codes were published today. From July these protections will be fully enforceable and services that don't comply could face serious enforcement action from Ofcom.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘Skinny is social capital': Extreme thinness is back and it's more dangerous than ever
The internet was meant to democratise culture. Mobile phones. Online bulletin boards. Social media. Writers such as Howard Rheingold and Clay Shirky praised its role in political mobilisation – anti-globalisation protests, Arab Spring, riots in the Philippines. They rarely mentioned the pro-ana (anorexia) movement, where girls and women gathered online to share starvation tips and 'thinspiration'. Photos of jutting ribs were captioned like inspirational posts. Instead of 'all dreams are within reach', they said, 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'. A social media trend has made extreme thinness aspirational once more (if it ever wasn't). But SkinnyTok, as it's known, shuns old-school diet culture. Instead, thinness is coded as luxury, wellness and discipline. I could unpack the ideology but influencers are doing it for me: 'Skinny is the outfit,' says one creator. 'Being skinny sends a message. You respect yourself. You prioritise yourself ... It's ... not just about looking hot; it's high value.' 'I feel like it's such a currency to be skinny,' a thirtysomething woman gushes alongside her before and after photos. It's easy to mock this as teenage drama but its reach is wider, especially for women who've already lived through several beauty regimes. When I was a teenager, I liked to watch music videos on weekend mornings: Beautiful, Dirty, Toxic, Cry Me a River. In my memory, the women in these videos merge into one hard torso in low-rise jeans. I'd stand on my dad's EZ recliner so I could see my reflection in the mirror over the fireplace, lifting my pyjama top to survey the contours of my less-ideal body. READ MORE One of these videos was Beyoncé 's Crazy in Love. She prowls down an LA street in hot pants and heels. I loved her confidence. I loved her body – her strong calves and thighs. 'Huge legs,' my sister declared, wandering in. 'I think she looks amazing,' I remember saying. 'Well, if she looks amazing then I look amazing,' she replied, as though that settled it. (She was tall, slim and athletic, but my dad had recently called her 'thunder thighs' for wearing a minidress.) [ Bridget Jones and me: 51 and in slimming knickers Opens in new window ] For those of us who came of age in that era, noughties body culture is like a stretch mark on the psyche: it fades with time, but it's never quite gone. This was when Bridget Jones was 'fat' at 130lb. When tabloid magazines ran 'circles of shame' to highlight celebrity cellulite. When a swarm of size-00 women styled by Rachel Zoe lugged giant handbags down the red carpet, their stick-figure arms straining beneath the weight. Terms like 'thigh gap' and 'muffin top' entered the lexicon, shorthand for how our bodies could succeed or fall short. Of course, thinness has been the western beauty ideal since the early 20th century. No longer a sign of poverty, a snatched waist was a sign of a woman who could afford, but didn't want, food. By the time 1990s 'heroin chic' emerged, the link was firm. As Susan Bordo argues in Unbearable Weight, womanness on the cusp of the millennium dovetailed with desirable social and economic values: self-discipline, restraint, ambition. Sophie Gilbert, meanwhile, author of Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women against Themselves, claims noughties diet culture weaponised shame 'in a way that would neutralise women's ambitions and ... protect patriarchal power'. In the 2010s something changed. As Keeping up with the Kardashians became prime viewing, the ideal softened – not away from thinness exactly, but toward an aesthetic that embraced 'thick' thighs, a Brazilian butt, muscles. 'Clean eating', 'wellness' and 'glow-ups' outpaced the language of calorie-counting. Slimness (and whiteness) were still idealised, but there were more ways to look beautiful – or at least more ways to optimise. Plus-size models such as Ashley Graham graced the covers of Vogue. The culture became less openly hostile to flesh, more critical of body shame. Books like Rory Freedman's Skinny Bitch (2005), 'perhaps you have a lumpy arse because you are preserving your fat cells with diet soda' now felt off-key. Fatphobia hadn't died but we were saying the quiet part quietly. [ Emer McLysaght: Can we please send the Kardashians some big knickers and a slanket? Opens in new window ] If Kim Kardashian 's curves once stood for 'body positivity', the end came in 2022 when she crash dieted into a Marilyn Monroe dress for the Met Gala. In 2025 the size-zero body is back – now cloaked in the aesthetics of self-care and girl dinner. Last Tuesday, after European regulators expressed concern, TikTok blocked the search for #Skinnytok. But when I input 'skinny' into the search bar, I'm met with a page full of videos. In one, an ostentatiously thin woman outlines the difference between regular and 'wealthy skinny'. Wealthy skinny has less in common with TikTok's book wealth trend (basically having lots of books as furniture) and more with 'clean girl beauty' or 'quiet luxury'. Regular skinny is tacky and trend driven, she explains. Wealthy skinny, on the other hand, is about control. 'It's not about looking hot for the summer. It's about restraint, polish and discipline. It's effortless.' Above the videos a disclaimer reads 'you are more than your weight'. Social media helped drive body positivity. Now it sells disordered eating as a lifestyle choice. In this world, skinny is social capital. It's high value. Not dieting but 'gut health', not hunger but 'balance'. It's not always clear if this content is earnest or rage bait. Comments swing between 'how do I get this rib-cage?' and 'eat a sandwich'. Either way, it doesn't matter. Extreme content, like extreme bodies, drives engagement. But I suspect I'm drawn to this debate because, right now, I don't feel very skinny. Metabolism, medication and excessive biscuit eating has converged so that, despite being a healthy weight, I feel less than ideal. Feeling bad about my waist feels shallow, stupid even – like I've drunk the diet Kool-Aid. But women aren't stupid. Or duped. Or vain. We've been shown the shape of the world in the ideal shape of our bodies, and we've absorbed the message. To be skinny still feels like it is to be accepted in the world, if not the body, we live in.
