SKINNYTOK
New TikTok diet trend sparks backlash as experts warn it's fueling a dangerous new wave of harmful eating habits
TikTok's 'SkinnyTok' trend is promoting harmful diet culture, featuring extreme weight loss and unrealistic body standards. Experts warn it's causing mental and physical health issues, especially among young women. The trend normalizes disordered eating, impacting relationships and overall well-being, urging users to curate their feeds and seek professional help.
What is #SkinnyTok and why was it banned on TikTok?
TikTok has globally blocked the #SkinnyTok hashtag following mounting criticism from European regulators, particularly in France, over its promotion of unhealthy weight-loss content. The ban directs users searching the hashtag to mental health support, marking a significant step toward protecting young users. Despite this, harmful content persists under altered tags. European officials, including France’s Digital Minister Clara Chappaz and EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath, are pushing for stronger regulations to safeguard children online and curb the damaging influence of social media.
TikTok bans #skinnytok after European regulators raise concerns
The inquiry into #SkinnyTok was initiated just over a year ago after European Union regulators opened an investigation into TikTok over potential breaches of online content rules aimed at protecting children. The investigation is ongoing. Apps like TikTok and Meta have been making efforts to block and redirect terms like "thinspo" to mental health resources. However, critics say they have not done enough.
How social media can 'trigger' eating disorders in young people
Research has shown the percentage of people worldwide who have had some kind of eating disorder during their lives rose from 3.5% in 2000 to 7.8% in 2018, a timeframe that captures the rise of social media. For the professionals trying to help teenagers recover from these disorders, misinformation from influencers on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is a huge problem.
EU accuses TikTok of violating digital rules over ads
The EU accused TikTok of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to provide sufficient transparency about its advertisements. The European Commission stated that TikTok’s ad repository lacks key details about ad content, targeting, and sponsors. TikTok is reviewing the findings but remains committed to compliance.
