There’s no denying that social media can be great. You can chat with your friends while lying around in your PJs, share silly memes, and even make new friends. Fun! However, there is a dark side to social media that can make you feel not so good. 

While social media doesn’t necessarily cause an eating disorder, it can be a contributing factor to an eating disorder. Some content and posts can trigger feelings of comparison, worthlessness or dissatisfaction and might come in the form of trends or hashtags. Researchers have found that just seven minutes of consuming beauty-related content on social media can affect young people’s body image. 

You might have come across some of these things when scrolling on TikTok or Instagram. They can manifest in lots of different ways. Some examples might be ‘healthy living’ or ‘wellness’ content and trends like ‘What I Eat in a Day’ videos or #fitspo. 

Body checking is a recent trend, particularly common on TikTok where a common eating disorder behaviour is normalised as ‘content’. Body checking is the habit of repeatedly seeking information about your body’s appearance, size or shape. This might be in front of the mirror, on scales or online. Online trends like #jawlinecheck, #smallwaist or #sideprofile are prime examples.

How can this be harmful?

This type of content can affect anyone – with or without an eating disorder as it can promote mental illness and body shaming. It can make you focus a lot more on your body or how you look, which can lead to unhealthy thinking habits or actions. Content like this pushes for a body standard that is not only impossible for the majority of people but is also extremely unhealthy and in some cases can lead to hospitalisation or even death.

Ways to make social media more enjoyable:

If social media isn’t making you feel good, it might be time to adjust some of your habits. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take a break: Physically step away from your phone or social media apps. You can set time limits on your apps to remind you when you’ve reached your allotted time, like 30 minutes or an hour each day.
• Turn off notifications: By turning off notifications you can decide when you go on social media rather than Instagram or TikTok dictating when you use the app. 
• Be conscious: Sometimes we go on social media unconsciously or just out of habit – like on the toilet, brushing our teeth, or while making breakfast. If you consciously choose when you use it and when to be in the moment, you can regain some control over your use of social media.
• Unfollow negative influences: Unfollow or hide accounts that don’t make you feel good. This can turn your scrolling into a more positive experience.
• Follow body-positive accounts: Fill your feed with kind messages about body positivity and self-worth by following accounts like @beafeministgirl, @hearherstories, and @bodyimagepositive, which aim to make social media a nicer place.
• Be intentional: Your algorithm is under your control – you can make it a nice place to be. Focus on the pages you follow instead of the ‘Explore’ or ‘For You’ sections. This way, you can curate a more uplifting social media experience.

For more information about how to responsibly use social media, check out our page on how social media impacts your mental health. And watch this video to learn more ways to disconnect from social media. 

Is it possible to recover from an eating disorder?

Yes. However, it can be really hard to take those first steps and seek professional treatment. Feelings of shame, embarrassment or fear can prevent a person with an eating disorder from seeking help. Realising that there is a problem can also be hard. Sometimes people can make themselves believe that everything is under control or that there isn’t a problem.

Where to get help 

If you think that you or someone you know might be suffering from an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help straight away. 

• Your GP will be able to help and refer you to a specialist who helps people overcome conditions like this all the time. 
  • If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with a trusted adult, check out our post on ‘Going to the Doctor on Your Own’ for more info on making an appointment and finding a doctor that suits you
• Visit the National Eating Disorder Collaboration website for more information on help in your local area
• Beyond Blue is another free, confidential counselling service, with trained professionals available to talk through your situation.
• The Butterfly Club has wonderful resources and a national helpline: 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email.
• Kid’s helpline and Lifeline are also wonderful resources.