Health professionals are raising fresh concerns over the impact of social media on the mental and physical wellbeing of adolescents, warning that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are fuelling a sharp rise in eating disorders among young people, particularly girls and young women.

Experts say social media may not be the root cause of such conditions, but it acts as a powerful trigger and accelerant, pushing vulnerable individuals toward behaviours that can lead to anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. These concerns come amid growing evidence of a global surge in eating disorders in the wake of widespread social media use.

“We no longer treat an eating disorder without also addressing social media use,” French dietitian and nutritionist Carole Copti told AFP. “It has become a trigger, definitely an accelerator and an obstacle to recovery.”

Data shows the proportion of people who have experienced some form of eating disorder during their lives nearly doubled worldwide—from 3.5% in 2000 to 7.8% in 2018—a period that coincides with the global boom in social media usage.

While eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by psychological, genetic, environmental and social factors, health professionals caution that online platforms are amplifying the risks by glorifying thinness and promoting misleading and often dangerous diet advice.

Dr Nathalie Godart, a psychiatrist at the Student Health Foundation of France, said social media was often “the straw that may break the camel’s back.” She warned that online promotion of rigid diets, excessive exercise, and unrealistic body standards “weakens already vulnerable individuals and amplifies the threat to their health.”

Dangerous Trends

One disturbing trend highlighted by experts is the #skinnytok hashtag on TikTok, which has become flooded with videos encouraging viewers to drastically reduce their food intake or adopt extreme behaviours to lose weight. Health professionals have condemned such content as harmful and irresponsible.

Charlyne Buigues, a French nurse who specialises in treating eating disorders, said social media normalises dangerous practices. “Videos showing young girls with anorexia flaunting their malnourished bodies, or others with bulimia demonstrating purging behaviours, are deeply concerning,” she said.

“Taking laxatives or vomiting are presented as legitimate ways to lose weight when actually they increase the risk of cardiac arrest,” Buigues added.

According to France’s national health insurance agency, eating disorders are the second leading cause of premature death among 15- to 24-year-olds in the country. Anorexia in particular has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric conditions, underscoring the severity of the issue.

A Vicious Cycle

Copti described a vicious cycle where social media validation—through likes, comments, and followers—reinforces harmful behaviour. “People suffering from eating disorders often have low self-esteem. But when they gain attention online for their extreme thinness, it perpetuates their illness and denial,” she said.

In some cases, this cycle is monetised. Buigues referred to a case of a young woman who recorded herself vomiting during live TikTok sessions. “She explained that the platform paid her, and she used that money to buy groceries,” the nurse said.

Obstacles to Recovery

Health professionals say the sheer volume of misinformation online complicates recovery efforts. Patients are often more influenced by online influencers than medical experts.

Copti noted that many of her consultations with teenage patients resemble courtroom debates. “I have to constantly justify myself and explain why a 1,000-calorie diet is unhealthy, or why skipping meals is dangerous,” she said. “They’re completely indoctrinated, and my 45-minute session cannot compete with the hours they spend daily on TikTok.”

Godart expressed concern over the growing number of “pseudo-coaches” online, who share unverified and sometimes illegal nutrition advice. “These influencers carry more weight than official institutions. It’s a constant struggle to get even basic nutritional facts across,” she said.

Calls for Regulation

Despite ongoing efforts by medical professionals to report problematic content, many say platforms are slow to take action. Buigues regularly flags disturbing posts on Instagram but said it “serves no purpose. The content stays up, and accounts are rarely suspended—it’s exhausting.”

As a drastic measure, Buigues has even advised some patients to delete their social media accounts entirely, especially TikTok. “It may seem radical, but until young people are better informed, the app is simply too dangerous,” she said.