Those of us who hit the internet in the 1990s or 2000s may remember our early encounters with “thinspo” — posts and content aimed at encouraging weight loss, often going well beyond the limits of health and safety. Now our kids are finding similar content, and one of their favorite apps is curating it into their feeds with TikTok creating a trend known as SkinnyTok.
The Dangers Of Diet Culture
The earliest reports of illness fitting the description of anorexia are over 300 years old, and likely, variations of eating disorders go back even further.
The most significant generational difference may be the technology that helps these disorders grow in secret, making it easy to find fellow sufferers who encourage the unhealthy behaviors.
Now, algorithms mindlessly push content to the groups most likely to engage with it, meaning that internet users who have been identified as teen girls, or interested in fashion, or interested in beauty, or any combination of the above, may be directly targeted with thinspo even if they haven’t searched for it.
Note: Teen boys are also subject to this propaganda, but it may target girls more frequently because they are statistically more susceptible to it. Parents should speak to pre-teens and teens about eating disorders regardless of gender.
The Skinny Corner Of TikTok
TikTok algorithms show users more of the content they interact with. That means if your daughter interacts with one video from, say, a young woman who’s proud she dropped a pant size, she’s likely to get more videos of women and girls happy about their weight loss.
Since the algorithm recognizes that users who interact heavily with certain types of content tend to also interact with weight loss content, she may see those videos, even if she’s only watched “get ready with me” videos of girls picking outfits and trying out makeup looks.
But not every weight loss journey is healthy, and it’s very easy to get sucked into dangerous habits.
By the way, Harper’s Bazaar has reported that many of the ‘thinspo’ posts shared on TikTok are treated as ironic or humorous. However, even these send dangerous messages, and they’re a pipeline into the more direct disordered eating topics.
The Physical Dangers Of SkinnyTok
Too much focus on weight loss is unhealthy, but the eating disorder side of TikTok is promoting some specific behaviors that are particularly concerning, according to Parents.
These include rapid weight loss, using supplements, and diet pills that can carry additional risks. They can cause irritation and long-term damage to the digestive system, as well as potentially cause irregular heart rate and long-term heart damage, especially when taken without medical supervision.
Anorexia and bulimia, with or without pills, can also cause permanent damage to organs, with bulimia in particular damaging the esophagus from repeated exposure to stomach acids.
What Should Parents Do If Their Kids Are Engaging With SkinnyTok?
Every parent should have an agreement with their child or rules in place that help manage media use.
Depending on your child’s age, media literacy, and other factors, this could range from limiting the use of TikTok and similar apps to short amounts of time in the presence of a parent, to regular discussions about the content your child sees. Remember, the best tool you have is open conversation! However, parental controls on a device are also quite useful, especially if you need them.
Talk to your child about body image, and about the differences between aiming for health and aiming for thinness. Ensure they understand that disordered eating is a serious issue, and that the ultimate goal is to strike a balance between healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Warn them that videos with terms like “targeted fat loss,” “thigh gap,” or “body check” are red flags. “Body check” videos may stigmatize normal areas of body fat, and convince your teen that their healthy body is not “normal.”
Most of all, make sure they know it’s safe to come to you with any concerns so SkinnyTok doesn’t cause bigger issues for your child.