How to break social media’s shocking link to eating disorders
Social media accounts have long been linked to eating disorders in teenagers, with research revealing the alarming impact on boys and girls. But a new program is breaking the toxic cycle with “encouraging” results.
Victoria
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A landmark program is breaking the negative link between social media use and eating disorders in teenagers.
Research shows the more social media accounts that teenage girls and boys have, the greater their likelihood of having eating disorders.
Girls using Snapchat are more likely to report skipping meals, following a strict meal plan, eating very little, having a strict exercise regimen and placing high levels of importance on appearance. Boys on sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are more likely to skip meals.
But Flinders University researchers have created Media Smart Online, a program that has been found to reduce the onset of eating disorders among young women aged 18 to 25 by 66 per cent.
Young women who used the program were also 91 per cent less likely to develop depressive symptoms and half as likely to develop suicidal thoughts.
The program is now being expanded to cater for girls and boys from the age of 13, and a new trial is underway.
Flinders University Senior Research Fellow Simon Wilksch said the results were “extremely encouraging”.
“Eating disorders convey enormous suffering to the individual and their loved ones,” Dr Wilksch said. “We know that young people are very reluctant to seek help for their body image or concerns regarding food and exercise.
“However, being able to anonymously access an effective, completely online, free program was greatly appreciated by participants.”
Lucy, 15, from Box Hill South said it was “really hard when there is so much pressure for girls to meet the unrealistic beauty standards nowadays”.
“Snapchat has certain filters that hide your flaws,” she said.
Amelie, 15, from Mont Albert, said “seeing people’s Instagram stories and Snapchat of their ‘perfect’ lives makes you second-guess your own beauty and self worth”.
“It’s easier for people to hide their flaws and put a cover on for social media,” she said.
Dr Wilksch said social media encourages young people to focus strongly on their appearance and the way it is judged by others. “For adolescents and young adults, this is occurring at a vulnerable time where the influence of peers is very important,” he said.
Males or females aged 13 to 25 who want to access the program can take part in a free research trial at mediasmart.flinders.edu.au.
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