Current events I.

                Tik Tok is one of the most used social media platforms among adolescents. During the pandemic, the time adolescents spend on Tik Tok almost doubled, due to the effects of lockdown. Eating disorders, such as anorexia, primarily affect female adolescents, with a mortality rate 5-10 times higher than in the general population. Unfortunately, the topic of Anorexia is quite common on Tik Tok, although it is violating Tik Tok’s Terms of Service. Users often create different hashtags, that do not necessarily violate Terms of Service, but they are promoting and engaging users to change their eating behavior. Tik Tok’s algorithm records data from the users and proposes videos that are personalized for each user. Therefore, if a user sees a video dealing or promoting any type of eating disorder, the algorithm will keep suggesting such videos, contributing to obsessive behaviors.

               This case report described the experience of a 14-year-old patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. A month after the first lockdown in April 2020, the patient reported a progressive restriction of food intake, increased physical activity, and intake of laxative pills to engage a rapid weight loss. The patient reported being inspired on Tik Tok, where she saw many videos of teens sharing their experiences with eating disorders. The patient later claimed that she engaged in such a conduct with the intent of being hospitalized to demonstrate herself and others the difficulties of her condition. The patient demonstrated strong perseverance in refusing food and engaging in excessive physical activity, even though she was aware of her poor health and the consequences.

               Most of these videos were blocked by the platform's control over the content. Luckily, there are many creators on Tik Tok who raise awareness on eating disorders, sharing their journey recovering from eating disorders, and the consequences that will follow, after engaging unhealthy eating habits.

               ** Below this text, I show the content of a Tik Tok account I found, promoting, and engaging in an eating disorder. After taking screenshots to show for an educational purpose, I reported this account, and it will be hopefully deleted soon. ** 

       

        Logrieco, G., Marchili, M. R., Roversi, M., Villani, A. (2021). A. The Paradox of Tik Tok Anti-Pro-Anorexia Videos: How Social Media Can Promote Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Anorexia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18(3), 1041. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031041