2025-06-01T23:04:01Z

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PARIS, June 2 — Experts are sounding the alarm about the role social media plays in exacerbating eating disorders among vulnerable young populations. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are increasingly frequented by young women and girls, often glorify thinness and disseminate potentially harmful nutritional advice that can lead to dangerous health outcomes.

While the prevalence of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder has historically affected young women and girls more significantly, there has been a noticeable uptick in the rates among men as well. Recent statistics reveal that the global prevalence of eating disorders has escalated dramatically—from 3.5 percent in the year 2000 to a staggering 7.8 percent by 2018. This increase coincides with the meteoric rise of social media usage, raising concerns about the relationship between these platforms and mental health issues.

For professionals dedicated to helping teenagers recover from eating disorders, the misinformation propagated by influencers on social media can pose a substantial challenge. Carole Copti, a French dietitian and nutritionist, articulated this concern, stating, “We no longer treat an eating disorder without also addressing social media use.” She emphasizes that social media has become an accelerant, as well as a significant barrier to the recovery process for those affected.

The etiology of eating disorders is multifaceted, encompassing psychological, genetic, environmental, and social factors that can render individuals more susceptible. Nathalie Godart, a psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent mental health at the Student Health Foundation of France, elaborates, saying that while social media is not the root cause of these disorders, it can certainly act as “the straw that may break the camel’s back.” By promoting ideals of thinness, restrictive dieting, and excessive exercise, social media platforms can intensify the vulnerability of those already at risk, thereby heightening the threat to their overall health.

A particularly alarming example of this phenomenon is the trending hashtag #skinnytok on TikTok. This trend is rife with harmful advice that encourages drastic reductions in food intake, often accompanied by guilt-inducing messaging. Charlyne Buigues, a French nurse specializing in treating eating disorders, describes social media as a gateway to these issues, normalizing harmful behaviors that can have serious health implications.

Buigues criticizes the disturbing trend of young girls with anorexia sharing images of their emaciated bodies, while others with bulimia demonstrate their purging rituals. “The portrayal of taking laxatives or inducing vomiting as legitimate weight loss methods is not just harmful; it can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest,” she explains.

Eating disorders can wreak havoc on physical health, contributing to severe conditions such as heart damage, infertility, and even suicidal ideation. Research highlights that anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, and it ranks as the second leading cause of premature death among individuals aged 15 to 24 in France, according to the nation’s health insurance agency.

Social media platforms are creating a “vicious cycle,” Copti warns. Many individuals grappling with eating disorders often struggle with low self-esteem. Yet, when they showcase their thinness on social media, they may receive validation in the form of likes, views, and followers, which can entrench their harmful behaviors and prolong their denial about their condition. This cycle can be particularly lucrative if the content generates income.

Buigues points to a troubling case of a young woman who livestreams her purging on TikTok, revealing that she is monetized by the platform and uses her earnings to buy groceries. This alarming intersection between social media and eating disorders illustrates the pressing need for intervention.

The pervasive influence of social media complicates the recovery process for those suffering from eating disorders, making it not only more challenging but also lengthier. Copti explains that during her consultations with patients, she often feels as though she is defending her professional opinions against a barrage of misinformation they have absorbed online. “I spend the session convincing them that adhering to a diet of only 1,000 calories is unsustainable and unhealthy,” she laments. “It’s as if my 45-minute consultation pales in comparison to the hours they spend on TikTok.”

Godart raises concerns about the alarming rise of self-proclaimed “pseudo-coaches” who dispense incorrect, often dangerous nutrition advice, which can carry serious legal ramifications. “These influencers have more sway than established institutions, making it difficult for us to communicate accurate health information,” she notes, emphasizing that there are resources available for those in distress.

Buigues has taken it upon herself to report problematic content on Instagram, but her efforts often feel futile. “The content typically remains accessible, and accounts are rarely suspended. It’s exhausting,” she says. She even advises her patients to consider deleting their social media accounts, especially TikTok, recognizing the immediate dangers it poses. “It may seem drastic, but until young people are better educated, the app is simply too risky,” she concludes. — AFP