TikTok Bans #SkinnyTok but Harmful Content Persists

TikTok banned the hashtag #SkinnyTok after European regulators flagged it for promoting unhealthy and unrealistic body standards. Despite the ban, content glamorizing extreme thinness and disordered eating still thrives under other guises. Researchers note that such content, especially targeting young women, significantly increases the risk of eating disorders. Creators and platforms struggle to regulate these “gray zones” where harmful behaviors are subtly masked as wellness tips. Although body-positive influencers like Kate Glavan push back, their content often receives less attention than viral thin-ideal videos. Experts argue platforms should be held accountable for how their algorithms amplify harmful content. While TikTok redirects users to eating disorder support resources, advocates say surface-level bans fall short of solving the deep-rooted societal preference for extreme thinness, now reinforced by the popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

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Source: NPR