According to research, women who use TikTok are less satisfied with their bodies.
The study said participants who were exposed to pro-anorexia content felt worse about themselves.
A recent study released on Wednesday indicates that women who engage with TikTok may experience an increased likelihood of dissatisfaction with their bodies and a decline in their self-image, particularly if they have encountered pro-anorexia material.
Researchers from Australia surveyed 273 women aged 18 to 28 between July and October 2021, focusing on their TikTok usage. As part of the research, participants were exposed to images categorized as “pro-anorexia,” commonly referred to as “pro-ana.” The findings revealed that the surveyed women exhibited negative body image responses after merely 10 minutes of viewing TikTok content.
These results contribute to existing literature regarding the potential dangers of social media for young women concerning body image issues. Organizations such as Common Sense Media, which examines the impact of media and technology on children and families, along with the British nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, have raised similar alarms about TikTok in their recent studies.
In 2021, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, faced criticism following a revealing report by the Wall Street Journal, which disclosed that the company was aware of the detrimental effects its platforms could have on adolescent mental health. Legal actions have been initiated against companies like Meta and TikTok, with claims that applications such as Instagram have adversely affected children.
In the current study, Blackburn and Hogg attribute TikTok’s unique risk to its “For You” page algorithm, which distinguishes it from other platforms in terms of exposing users to harmful content.
While the platform tries to limit searches for dangerous terms and guide users towards assistance, the study’s authors argue that individuals can circumvent TikTok’s restrictions by employing slang and inventive phrases like “edtkt0k,” which the platform does not filter.
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