Eating Disorders Helpline
Eating Disorder Peer Support Groups
Request a Recovery Mentor
Treatment Directory and Referral Services
Support at Every Stage
Become a Helpline Volunteer
Become a Recovery Mentor
Become a Peer Support Group Leader
ANAD Fundraising Guide
Join Our Treatment Directory
Eating Disorder Statistics
Eating Disorder Types and Symptoms
Eating Disorders: Common Warning Signs
Eating Disorder Screening Tool
Athletes and Eating Disorders
ANAD Blog
ANAD Approach Guides
Eating Disorder Book Recommendations
About ANAD
ANAD's Response to Social Media's Exploitation of Young People for Profit
By Kathy LuanOctober 8, 2021November 1st, 2021ANAD Blog, Recovery Stories
Home » ANAD's Response to Social Media's Exploitation of Young People for Profit
The evidence about Facebook and Instagram's harmful algorithms is growing. These platforms have been accused of exploiting young people's psyches and vulnerability to developing eating disorders. From ANAD's vantage point of skyrocketing demand for our eating disorder services, we think these companies seem to be causing a lot of harm for young, impressionable people. In fact we see it every day. We also believe these platforms have the equal capacity to improve our mental health.
Based on the news stories circulating, it appears that young people are being over-exposed to images of thinness, weight loss, and dieting. This is causing potential harm for millions of young people by steering them down the dangerous path toward disordered eating.
This is a serious concern because eating disorders are the second deadliest mental illness. Tragically, someone dies nearly every hour in the U.S. due to complications from an eating disorder.
Eating disorders thrive on secrecy, comparison, and competition, which is why social media is the perfect place for developing disordered thinking about food and weight. Young people are being flooded with imagery of thinness, unrealistic body standards, and content surrounding "quick fix" diets telling them they're not worthy unless they look like the photos they see. Studies are showing that, even when young people are aware of images being heavily edited, they still feel the pressure to achieve.
While these algorithms and social media platforms can be problematic, we also know they're so ingrained in our culture that they're not going away. That's why we at ANAD are interested in the use of social media as reinforcement for strong mental health and positive body image.
Here are ANAD's tips for using social media to drive positivity:
Think critically about the feelings you have while on social media. What is your inner voice telling you while you're on social media? Write down those thoughts and feelings so you aren't passively affected by them. Challenge them! Let your inner voice know that you don't have to act on what it's saying.
Curate a healthy, body positive feed for yourself. This includes unfollowing any and all accounts that make you feel bad about yourself, and any accounts that are meant to "help" with dieting. Find new accounts by searching for hashtags like #bodyacceptance, #bodyconfidence, #bodypositive, #healthateverysize, etc. You'll find more!
Spread positivity. Once your feed is making you feel good, spread the love! The magic of social media is that you have an entire community at your fingertips. You have the power to do good by spreading love right from your home. It feels good to spread positivity.
Report the accounts that you think are harmful. Facebook and Instagram rely on their algorithms and reporting systems to weed out negative content and accounts. By clicking the "report" button, you can flag accounts that you believe are harmful. The more you report something, the more likely it is to get taken down.
Reach out to ANAD. At ANAD, we take a compassionate approach toward each individual's disordered eating and body confidence experiences. Our free services include a Helpline, Peer Support Groups, and Recovery Mentorship programs. If you've done everything right on social media, but still aren't feeling great, we're here to help.
We'd love to hear your tips! Drop us an email at
Previous PostEquip (New Jersey)
Next PostCenter for Discovery, Portland
ANAD is the leading nonprofit in the U.S. that provides free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorder, regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background. Learn more about us here.
Email //
ANAD is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 36-2938021).
ANAD is committed to providing free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorder.We appreciate your support. Make a tax-deductible donation today.
You can also support ANAD by setting us as your Amazon Smile Charity!
Our free, eating disorders Helpline is available for treatment referrals, support and encouragement, and general questions about eating disorders.
Call the Helpline // 888.375.7767
Support Group // Find a Support Group
Peer Mentors // Request a Mentor
Treatment // Search our national directory
Our Helpline is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm CST. We will return messages left outside of these hours.
All content © 2021 National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. All Rights Reserved.