From catching up with friends and family to enjoying your favorite online content, social media has become a major influence in the daily lives of people around the world. As more people are using social media, more research is being conducted on the effects that social media has on a person’s health, including eating disorders. However, the role of social media in eating disorder research may not be as simple as scrolling through your social media feed.
While eating disorder research is not new, research on the effects of social media has been growing. Two research reviews, one for adults and the other for young adults ages 10-24, found that behaviors such as appearance-based comparison on social media and frequent social media use were associated with greater body image dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and disordered eating behaviors.1-2 Social media use among younger adults has also been associated with poorer mental health outcomes which can make disordered eating more prevalent.2 Content such as fitness, weight loss, and pro-disordered eating messaging are common on social media platforms and contribute to disordered eating behaviors in adults.2 However, there are communities on social media platforms that seek to make a positive change.2-3
Recent research has been shifting towards understanding the ways that social media can help those in eating disorder recovery through platforms like TikTok and Instagram since these platforms are popular among adults. 3 People in eating disorder recovery have used these platforms to find communities where they can share about their experiences in eating disorder recovery. People also seek out these communities on TikTok and Instagram to find social support and educational material on eating disorders and treatment.4-6 Importantly, the accessibility and connectivity of social media platforms allows people to find support and hear eating disorder recovery experiences from those with diverse gender, ethnic, and eating disorder diagnosis backgrounds.4
Social media platforms have the potential to both help and harm those who are experiencing or recovering from eating disorders. As research and social media use continues to grow, the relationship between social media and eating disorders will be dynamic. Clinicians and researchers should stay up to date on the latest research to ensure that those with eating disorders can receive the optimal care they deserve.
References
- Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.008
- Dane, A., & Bhatia, K. (2023). The Social Media Diet: A scoping review to investigate the association between social media, body image and eating disorders amongst young people. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001091
- Pew Research Center. (2021). Social Media Use in 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/04/PI_2021.04.07_Social-Media-Use_FINAL.pdf
- Greene, A. K., Norling, H. N., Brownstone, L. M., Maloul, E. K., Roe, C., & Moody, S. (2023). Visions of recovery: A cross-diagnostic examination of eating disorder pro-recovery communities on Tiktok. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00827-7
- Au, E. S., & Cosh, S. M. (2022). Social Media and eating disorder recovery: An exploration of Instagram recovery community users and their reasons for Engagement. Eating Behaviors, 46, 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2022.101651
- Wenig, V., & Janetzke, H. (2022). “that you just know you’re not alone and other people have gone through it too.” eating disorder recovery accounts on Instagram as a chance for self-help? A qualitative interview study among people affected and self-help experts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11334. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811334
By Julian Robles
Julian Robles is a Research Associate at the Living F.R.E.E. Lab.
