Health professionals are sounding fresh alarms over the profound impact of social media on the mental and physical well-being of adolescents, warning that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are directly contributing to a sharp rise in eating disorders among young people, particularly girls and young women. Experts clarify that while social media may not be the sole root cause of such conditions, it functions as a potent trigger and accelerant, propelling vulnerable individuals towards behaviors that can lead to anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. These concerns emerge amidst increasing global evidence of a surge in eating disorders concurrent with the widespread adoption of social media.
“We no longer treat an eating disorder without also addressing social media use,” French dietitian and nutritionist Carole Copti told AFP. “It has become a trigger, definitely an accelerator and an obstacle to recovery.” Data indicates that the proportion of people who have experienced some form of eating disorder during their lives nearly doubled worldwide—from 3.5% in 2000 to 7.8% in 2018—a period that directly aligns with the global boom in social media usage.
While eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by a multitude of psychological, genetic, environmental, and social factors, health professionals caution that online platforms are significantly amplifying these risks by glorifying extreme thinness and promoting misleading, often dangerous, diet advice. Dr. Nathalie Godart, a psychiatrist at the Student Health Foundation of France, likened social media to “the straw that may break the camel’s back.” She warned that the online promotion of rigid diets, excessive exercise, and unrealistic body standards “weakens already vulnerable individuals and amplifies the threat to their health.”
Dangerous Trends
One particularly disturbing trend highlighted by experts is the #skinnytok hashtag on TikTok, which has become inundated with videos encouraging viewers to drastically reduce their food intake or adopt extreme behaviors for weight loss. Health professionals have unequivocally condemned such content as harmful and irresponsible.
Charlyne Buigues, a French nurse specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, stated that social media normalizes dangerous practices. “Videos showing young girls with anorexia flaunting their malnourished bodies, or others with bulimia demonstrating purging behaviors, are deeply concerning,” she said. “Taking laxatives or vomiting are presented as legitimate ways to lose weight when actually they increase the risk of cardiac arrest,” Buigues added.
According to France’s national health insurance agency, eating disorders are the second leading cause of premature death among 15- to 24-year-olds in the country. Anorexia, in particular, carries the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric conditions, underscoring the severe gravity of the issue.
A Vicious Cycle
Copti described a vicious cycle where social media validation—through likes, comments, and followers—reinforces harmful behavior. “People suffering from eating disorders often have low self-esteem. But when they gain attention online for their extreme thinness, it perpetuates their illness and denial,” she explained.
In some concerning instances, this cycle is monetized. Buigues recalled a case of a young woman who recorded herself vomiting during live TikTok sessions. “She explained that the platform paid her, and she used that money to buy groceries,” the nurse revealed.
Obstacles to Recovery
Health professionals emphasize that the sheer volume of misinformation online significantly complicates recovery efforts. Patients are often more influenced by online influencers than by qualified medical experts.
Copti noted that many of her consultations with teenage patients often resemble courtroom debates. “I have to constantly justify myself and explain why a 1,000-calorie diet is unhealthy, or why skipping meals is dangerous,” she said. “They’re completely indoctrinated, and my 45-minute session cannot compete with the hours they spend daily on TikTok.” Godart expressed deep concern over the growing number of “pseudo-coaches” operating online, who disseminate unverified and sometimes illegal nutrition advice. “These influencers carry more weight than official institutions. It’s a constant struggle to get even basic nutritional facts across,” she lamented.
Calls for Regulation
Despite ongoing efforts by medical professionals to report problematic content, many report that platforms are slow to take effective action. Buigues regularly flags disturbing posts on Instagram but stated that it “serves no purpose. The content stays up, and accounts are rarely suspended—it’s exhausting.”
As a drastic measure, Buigues has even advised some patients to completely delete their social media accounts, especially TikTok. “It may seem radical, but until young people are better informed, the app is simply too dangerous,” she concluded.
