2024-11-12 05:00:00
THE WORLD
Does TikTok promote the development of eating disorders (EDBs), such as anorexia or bulimia? In any case, this is one of the grievances held against him by seven families, who took him to court on Monday, November 4, before the Créteil court. Grouped within the Algos Victima collective, they accuse the Chinese application of highlighting content promoting eating disorders, as well as suicidal ideas and self-harm.
Because of its recommendation algorithm, its lack of moderation and its addictive potential, TikTok would have contributed to “the deterioration of the physical and mental health of their children”, declared their lawyer, Laure Boutron-Marmion, to Franceinfo. Two of the seven teenagers involved ended their lives, and four attempted to do so. The last, for her part, experienced problems with anorexia.
“Current social networks are a favorable space for eating disorders, because we see a lot of images of bodies there. However, the population affected by these disorders compares itself more to others than the averagenotes Barbara Jiotsa, psychiatrist behind a thesis on the influence of social networks on body image and EDs. During the Covid period, we also saw patients whose disorders had been triggered after encountering content from sports influencers, or healthy eating “coaches”. »
From “pro-ana” blogs to #thinspiration hashtags
The impact of social media and the Internet on eating disorders has been debated for a long time. Since the 2000s, we have seen sites and blogs appear accused of promoting anorexia and bulimia, nicknamed respectively “pro-ana” (pro-anorexia) and “pro-mia” (pro-bulimia). ).
People suffering from these disorders share extreme advice for losing weight and « thinspiration » (merger of thin“end”, and inspiration): images of skinny bodies, guilt-inducing slogans. But for sociologists Paola Tubaro and Antonio A. Casilli, these sites are also spaces of support between patients, who exchange stories, suffering and medical symptoms.
Read also: Ana, mia and the others: welcome to the hell of eating disorders
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In France, legislation is trying to tackle the subject: after a first bill in 2008, the National Assembly voted in 2015 to create a “crime of inciting excessive thinness”punishable by one year in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros. It was finally withdrawn six months later in the face of opposition from experts and health professionals, fearing repression of patients and increased isolation.
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**Interview with Barbara Jiotsa, Psychiatrist and Body Image Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jiotsa. Recently, TikTok has come under fire from several families, who allege that the platform promotes eating disorders among teenagers. What are your thoughts on this claim?
**Barbara Jiotsa:** Thank you for having me. I believe there is a growing concern regarding social media’s influence on body image and mental health, especially among vulnerable populations like teenagers. Platforms like TikTok can amplify harmful content, including images and messages that promote unrealistic body standards and behaviors associated with eating disorders.
**Editor:** The families involved have specifically mentioned TikTok’s recommendation algorithm as a contributing factor. Can you explain how this works and why it might exacerbate these issues?
**Barbara Jiotsa:** Certainly. TikTok’s algorithm is designed to maximize user engagement by showing content that the user is likely to enjoy, which can lead to a feedback loop. If a young person engages with content related to body image or dieting, the algorithm may continually serve more of that type of content. This targeted exposure can create an environment where unhealthy comparisons and behaviors are normalized, ultimately leading to the deterioration of mental health.
**Editor:** You mentioned that individuals with eating disorders are often more susceptible to comparison. Could you elaborate on this?
**Barbara Jiotsa:** Absolutely. Those affected by eating disorders frequently engage in social comparison, which means they measure their worth and self-image against others. In the context of social media, this can be particularly damaging, as users are often exposed to curated and heavily filtered images that present an unattainable ideal. This skewed perception can deepen their struggles with body image and self-esteem.
**Editor:** The families also raised concerns about the lack of moderation on the platform. Do you think there’s a responsibility that social media companies have in moderating this type of content?
**Barbara Jiotsa:** Yes, I believe social media platforms carry a significant responsibility to ensure user safety. Effective moderation can help prevent the spread of harmful content. This includes content that promotes eating disorders and self-harm. Platforms must find a balance between free expression and protecting vulnerable populations, especially minors, from harmful influences.
**Editor:** Lastly, you referenced the impact of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. How do you think this crisis has affected the prevalence of eating disorders among young people?
**Barbara Jiotsa:** The pandemic led to increased social isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty for many young people, which can trigger or exacerbate eating disorders. With more time spent online and fewer face-to-face interactions, many turned to social media for connection, inadvertently increasing their exposure to harmful content. We have seen a rise in cases where individuals report that their eating disorders were worsened by their social media usage during this time.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Jiotsa. It’s clear that this is a complex issue that needs immediate attention from both families and social media platforms alike.
**Barbara Jiotsa:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to discuss and address these important topics openly.