Pro-anorexia content, known as #pro-ana, has made it’s way onto one of the fastest growing social media platforms of all time: TikTok.
Content warning: This article contains themes that some people may find distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by this story, please visit the Beat charity website for support.
A community of young teenagers and children are sharing videos and images encouraging others to become, or remain, anorexic.
This content has been present on the internet since the 1990s and has pervaded a number of social media sites. But TikTok’s algorithm contributes to the problem in a unique way.
The app’s ‘For You Page’ tailors content based on what users are viewing the most. So, anyone searching for pro-anorexia content will find it filling their entire feed after only a few searches.
TikTok are aware of the issue and have banned the #pro-ana hashtag. But users simply adapt the spelling in order to find pro-anorexia content.
The app grew by 200 million downloads in the first quarter of 2020, as people searched for entertainment during lockdown. The rise in social media use throughout the pandemic has already thought to have led to a decrease in body satisfaction.
The investigation
To investigate, City News created a TikTok account and set the age to 14 years old. After 30 minutes of searching the misspelled hashtags, the account’s For You Page was full of videos and comments encouraging anorexia.
Young people will post comments declaring their intention to become anorexic, to be met with admiration and encouragement. (Source: City News)
Clinical Psychologist and Eating Disorder Specialist, Dr Kate Herbert, is concerned about the impact this content can have on those who are particularly vulnerable.
“All of a sudden you’ve got images, stories and information that actually is quite detrimental. And if you are in a recovery phase, or working towards that, it could very much pull you back.”
Abby’s Experience
Abby knows all too well how pro-anorexia content on TikTok can affect recovery.
She spent many of her teenage years looking at #pro-ana content on a variety of social media platforms.
Abby is one of the many young people who have been affected by pro-anorexia content online. (Source: City News)
Now, she sees it on TikTok.
“It’s so easy for me to get sucked in again. It does scare me, because I don’t want to be in that place again.”
“There’s been times when TikTok’s made me think I need to starve myself again. And it’s been probably about eight years since I last did that. To know that just a 10 second video on an app can put my progress back so far is scary.”
Abby’s own experience with #pro-ana communities in the past have made her realise just how dangerous the content is.
“If I hadn’t left that community when I did, I’m not sure that I would be here.”
TikTok’s Position
TikTok has launched an investigation into the issue and offer safety features like private account settings and family pairing. With these tools, parents can restrict and monitor their child’s use of the app.
TikTok has acknowledged the problem (Source: City News)
City News approached TikTok with the findings of this investigation and an opportunity to respond. They are yet to reply.
However, in response to others on the topic, TikTok have said that they prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their users. They have also said they care deeply about the multifaceted issue of eating disorders and they are focusing on expanding their in-app measures to help.
Government Intervention
But what about the Government’s position on the problem?
MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders, Wera Hobhouse, thinks the Government should intervene to help alleviate the issue.
“The best thing would be if the Department of Health would talk to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and say look, you could engage with social media platforms.”
“Through that way, you can start a dialogue about what is actually damaging that is out there on social media, that ultimately promotes attitudes towards food and ideas around body image that create massive medical problems.”
The Department for Media, Culture and Sport were approached for comment, but they are yet to respond.
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HeadlinePro-anorexia content on TikTok: How big is the problem?
Short HeadlinePro-anorexia content on TikTok
StandfirstAn underground community of teenagers are using the app to promote anorexia as a viable lifestyle choice.
Pro-anorexia content, known as #pro-ana, has made it’s way onto one of the fastest growing social media platforms of all time: TikTok.
Content warning: This article contains themes that some people may find distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by this story, please visit the Beat charity website for support.
A community of young teenagers and children are sharing videos and images encouraging others to become, or remain, anorexic.
This content has been present on the internet since the 1990s and has pervaded a number of social media sites. But TikTok’s algorithm contributes to the problem in a unique way.
The app’s ‘For You Page’ tailors content based on what users are viewing the most. So, anyone searching for pro-anorexia content will find it filling their entire feed after only a few searches.
TikTok are aware of the issue and have banned the #pro-ana hashtag. But users simply adapt the spelling in order to find pro-anorexia content.
The app grew by 200 million downloads in the first quarter of 2020, as people searched for entertainment during lockdown. The rise in social media use throughout the pandemic has already thought to have led to a decrease in body satisfaction.
The investigation
To investigate, City News created a TikTok account and set the age to 14 years old. After 30 minutes of searching the misspelled hashtags, the account’s For You Page was full of videos and comments encouraging anorexia.
Young people will post comments declaring their intention to become anorexic, to be met with admiration and encouragement. (Source: City News)
Clinical Psychologist and Eating Disorder Specialist, Dr Kate Herbert, is concerned about the impact this content can have on those who are particularly vulnerable.
“All of a sudden you’ve got images, stories and information that actually is quite detrimental. And if you are in a recovery phase, or working towards that, it could very much pull you back.”
Abby’s Experience
Abby knows all too well how pro-anorexia content on TikTok can affect recovery.
She spent many of her teenage years looking at #pro-ana content on a variety of social media platforms.
Abby is one of the many young people who have been affected by pro-anorexia content online. (Source: City News)
Now, she sees it on TikTok.
“It’s so easy for me to get sucked in again. It does scare me, because I don’t want to be in that place again.”
“There’s been times when TikTok’s made me think I need to starve myself again. And it’s been probably about eight years since I last did that. To know that just a 10 second video on an app can put my progress back so far is scary.”
Abby’s own experience with #pro-ana communities in the past have made her realise just how dangerous the content is.
“If I hadn’t left that community when I did, I’m not sure that I would be here.”
TikTok’s Position
TikTok has launched an investigation into the issue and offer safety features like private account settings and family pairing. With these tools, parents can restrict and monitor their child’s use of the app.
TikTok has acknowledged the problem (Source: City News)
City News approached TikTok with the findings of this investigation and an opportunity to respond. They are yet to reply.
However, in response to others on the topic, TikTok have said that they prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their users. They have also said they care deeply about the multifaceted issue of eating disorders and they are focusing on expanding their in-app measures to help.
Government Intervention
But what about the Government’s position on the problem?
MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders, Wera Hobhouse, thinks the Government should intervene to help alleviate the issue.
“The best thing would be if the Department of Health would talk to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and say look, you could engage with social media platforms.”
“Through that way, you can start a dialogue about what is actually damaging that is out there on social media, that ultimately promotes attitudes towards food and ideas around body image that create massive medical problems.”
The Department for Media, Culture and Sport were approached for comment, but they are yet to respond.
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