A new study shows that watching 10 minutes of TikTok online can deeply affect the body image of women. 273 women between the ages of 18 to 28 years were surveyed to find out their thoughts on body image and beauty standards. These women were divided into two groups and each group was asked to watch an eight minute compilation of different videos on TikTok.
First group was given TikTok compilations of videos which were glorifying eating disorders, identified as pro-anorexia content. Some TikToks were also about women exercising and promoting methods to lose weight. The other group was given TikTok videos about nature, comedy and cooking to watch. The results of the survey showed that both groups of women were dissatisfied with their body after watching eight minute compilation of TikTok videos.
Women who were exposed to pro-anorexia content reported the biggest dissatisfaction in their body images and an increase in unrealistic beauty standards. The findings also raise concerns about developing eating disorders in women who get exposed to pro-anorexia content. These were just effects of watching TikTok for eight minutes. It is an alarming situation for people who spend hours on TikTok.
A spokesperson of TikTok said that the platform doesn't allow content normalizing eating disorders and any content that can be harmful for users gets immediately removed. TikTok has also removed hashtags which were related to eating disorders. Users can reset their TikTok feed to body-positive content. TikTok also directs users to The Butterfly Foundation, a charity to support people with body image issues and eating disorders, and give appropriate advice to people about self-love and to not worry about their bodies.
A 13 years old girl, Katya Jaski developed an eating disorder after being exposed to social media. She said that when users watch content about a girl showing unrealistic body and beauty standards, that type of content starts appearing frequently on your feed. When you keep on watching these kinds of videos, you become insecure and feel like every girl is thinner than you.
Jaski has now joined Butterfly Foundation and is trying to work hard on her body image. In 2023, TikTok also announced that it is going to strengthen its policies after the platform was accused of showing eating disorders and self harm content to users. The Government of Australia is thinking about banning social media to young people as being exposed to social media is doing more harm than good to them.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next:
• Google Testing Chrome Web Monetization Feature to Allow Users to Tip Favorite Websites
• Internet Shutdowns Surge: Top 9 Countries Cracking Down in 2024
• Wikipedia Renames Gaza Entry to “Gaza Genocide” After Debate and Expert Opinions Amid Israeli Atrocities in Palestine
First group was given TikTok compilations of videos which were glorifying eating disorders, identified as pro-anorexia content. Some TikToks were also about women exercising and promoting methods to lose weight. The other group was given TikTok videos about nature, comedy and cooking to watch. The results of the survey showed that both groups of women were dissatisfied with their body after watching eight minute compilation of TikTok videos.
Women who were exposed to pro-anorexia content reported the biggest dissatisfaction in their body images and an increase in unrealistic beauty standards. The findings also raise concerns about developing eating disorders in women who get exposed to pro-anorexia content. These were just effects of watching TikTok for eight minutes. It is an alarming situation for people who spend hours on TikTok.
A spokesperson of TikTok said that the platform doesn't allow content normalizing eating disorders and any content that can be harmful for users gets immediately removed. TikTok has also removed hashtags which were related to eating disorders. Users can reset their TikTok feed to body-positive content. TikTok also directs users to The Butterfly Foundation, a charity to support people with body image issues and eating disorders, and give appropriate advice to people about self-love and to not worry about their bodies.
A 13 years old girl, Katya Jaski developed an eating disorder after being exposed to social media. She said that when users watch content about a girl showing unrealistic body and beauty standards, that type of content starts appearing frequently on your feed. When you keep on watching these kinds of videos, you become insecure and feel like every girl is thinner than you.
Jaski has now joined Butterfly Foundation and is trying to work hard on her body image. In 2023, TikTok also announced that it is going to strengthen its policies after the platform was accused of showing eating disorders and self harm content to users. The Government of Australia is thinking about banning social media to young people as being exposed to social media is doing more harm than good to them.
Read next:
• Google Testing Chrome Web Monetization Feature to Allow Users to Tip Favorite Websites
• Internet Shutdowns Surge: Top 9 Countries Cracking Down in 2024
• Wikipedia Renames Gaza Entry to “Gaza Genocide” After Debate and Expert Opinions Amid Israeli Atrocities in Palestine
