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What is an eating disorder? -

Eating disorders are classified as mental health conditions where food is controlled in order to cope with feelings and other situations.

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Anorexia nervosa -

Also known as anorexia, this eating disorder attempts to control weight by not eating enough, exercising too much, or both.

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Bulimia -

Bulimia is when you lose control over the amount you're eating and then try to expel it from the body to avoid putting on weight.

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Binge eating disorder -

Binge eating involves consuming large portions of food until you feel so full it's uncomfortable. 

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Who is affected by eating disorders? - Eating disorders can impact people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

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The 2024 study -

A study done in September of 2024 showed that every "additional hour of screen time and social media use was associated with higher odds of showing eating disorder symptoms."

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The 2023 study -

According to a 2023 study, adolescents who are spending more time online are subsequently more likely to experience cyberbullying, which is considered another risk factor for developing an eating disorder.

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The 2021 study -

Dr. Jason Nagata, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, found in his 2021 study that for every hour of social media use, there was a 62% higher risk of developing a binge eating disorder a year later.

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Connections -

Social media can expose our children to influencers and other content that can result in comparisons and exposure to unattainable body ideals as well as an intensification of impulsive behaviors.

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Good and bad -

Social media can have positive impacts, such as giving teens around the globe access to different ideas and education they might not have previously had. However, this can also be a negative thing.

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Communities -

While social media can be great for joining communities, some of them might include people who don't have healthy ideals involving food and body image. This can expose your child to harmful ideas and potentially negatively influence them.

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Images -

Social media can increase how often kids look at edited or altered photos, which can give them the impression that an ideal body is an impossibly slim one.

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Promoting products -

Many influencers are actually paid to promote products that could, in fact, encourage harmful habits or promote weight loss.

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The problem -

Additionally, it's not only what a teen or child sees, it's knowing that others see them. This can cause fear of being bullied.

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Vicious cycles -

This pressure may lead to teens spending a lot of time thinking or planning social media posts. They will start hyper-fixating on their appearance and how others perceive them.

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Problematic content -

Some content is very problematic and quite obvious. However, there is also information that can fly under the radar.

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Dangers -

Normalizing this focus on weight loss and body image obsession can make social media truly dangerous to everyone, but especially to young, impressionable minds.

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Only one body type -

Even if somehow your child has managed to escape seeing a social media feed filled with weight loss incentives and body image dilemmas, they may still only see one body type featured. This can lead them to believe it's the "right" body and something they should strive for.

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Fixating on bodies -

If your teen or child's social media feed doesn't show diversity of body types and a variety of content, that can lead to problems. There should be a mix of content such as hobbies, travel, or experiences to balance out body image posts.

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Should social media apps be deleted? -

Social media isn’t the sole cause of eating disorders, and banning it isn't always the answer.

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Tips for using social media in a healthy way: delay access for teens -

By limiting earlier-in-life exposure to social media, you can strive to help teens develop healthier eating habits before they are influenced by potentially unrealistic diet trends and food fads.

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Be aware of how it affects emotions and habits -

Social media can definitely trigger emotional responses in kids, teens, and adults alike. Responses such as anxiety, comparison, and guilt can impact choices on food and how body image is perceived.

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Options: take breaks, unfollow, or delete apps -

If your child's social media starts negatively impacting them, encourage them to take breaks, focus on more positive information, or even delete triggering apps and prioritize their mental health.

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Social media can also offer support networks -

While much of social media can be harmful, some influencers and groups do promote body positivity, balanced eating, and more.

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Discuss social media's impact with teens -

Having open, honest, empathetic, and transparent conversations with your child can go a long way. Help them build their resilience and encourage them to love who they are already.

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Watch for signs like obsession with weight or body image -

If you notice your child becoming overly focused on their weight, or expressing extreme dissatisfaction with their body, these can both be warning signs that it's time to intervene.

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Look for signs like withdrawal from activities and friends -

When social media starts dictating eating habits, it can lead to social withdrawal, anxiety around food, or loss of interest in hobbies, signaling potential mental health concerns.

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Be there for your teen or child without judgment -

Try your best to create a safe and open space for your child to come to you if they need to. Don't pressure or shame them as this can further exacerbate the problem.

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Seek professional support -

If you notice (or your child tells you) that social media is negatively affecting their eating habits or mental health, consider consulting a doctor, therapist, or medical professional for help and support.

Sources: (CNN Health) (Eating Recovery Center) (NHS)

See also: How to raise kids to identify misinformation

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