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It started when Equip Family Mentor Christa Marlow’s daughter began exploring “healthy” lifestyle ideas on Instagram at the age of 15. “Unfortunately, the algorithms quickly directed her towards content centered on weight loss, 

, intermittent fasting, and, eventually, explicit pro-anorexia material,” Marlow says. “These ‘pro-ana communities’ which idealize and promote eating disorders, had a devastating effect on her.”

Marlow’s daughter soon developed severely restricted eating habits and became 

 firmly took hold. “Her social media feeds became dominated by pro-eating disorder posts, which unfortunately reinforced her illness and significantly complicated her recovery,” she says.

Marlow’s story is heartbreaking, but not unique. Social media has a significant impact on the mental health of young people, and this includes heightened risk for developing body image issues, 

, or eating disorders. Read on to learn everything you need to know about eating disorders and social media, including why it can be so harmful and expert-endorsed strategies for protecting your child from the risks.

Social media, young people, and mental health

It’s no secret that social media has a massive impact on young people. According to the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

, up to 95% of young people aged 13 to 17 report using a social media platform. Nearly two thirds of teenagers report using social media every day, and one third use social media “almost constantly.” That nonstop exposure to platforms like Instagram and TikTok can have serious consequences: according to that same report from DHHS, children and 

 who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems as those without such exposure. Considering that teens 

 on social media, this is particularly concerning.

, another way that social media impacts mental health is its effect on eating and body image concerns. A 

 that when asked about the impact of social media on their body image, 46% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 said social media makes them feel worse. And as a 

 found, there is “a strong and consistent association between social media use and eating concerns” in young adults between 19 and 32 years old.

 that most adolescents in the United States have been engaging with media in general (including TV, movies, podcasts, etc) on a daily basis throughout their youth, and social media in particular has both positive and negative effects. While nearly half of those surveyed reported that social media improved friendships and the majority felt it helped them feel more socially connected and emotionally supported by their peers, many reported that it had a negative impact on their grades and their body image.

If you’re worried about your child, we can help you determine next steps.



Worried about your child’s eating?

Tips for protecting your kids from harmful content

To parents, all of the above can feel extremely scary—but while it may be unrealistic (if not impossible) to completely shelter your kids from social media, there are ways to reduce its risks. Marlow and Levine shared their insights on how parents can protect their children from harmful content and help them build a healthy relationship with food and their body during this vulnerable stage of life.

Given the amount of negative or dangerous content online, it’s crucial for parents to remain involved in monitoring what their kids see, and being open to discussing it. “Regularly review your child's social media activity, ideally in a way that fosters open dialogue and trust,” Marlow says. “Talk to them directly about any concerning content you observe.”

Levine agrees, noting that parents should also feel empowered to utilize safety measures and available tools whenever possible. “Use parental controls,” he says. “Watch your child's social media feed with them occasionally to gauge the type of content they're receiving and interacting with.”

Among the options available, Marlow suggests tools like 

, and features such as restricted modes on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which can help filter out potentially harmful content. “Setting limits on screen time and implementing a ‘no-device’ policy overnight can also be beneficial,” she says.

Encourage them to follow body positive and diverse accounts

In addition to helping kids find and follow accounts dedicated to body diversity and Health at Every Size (HAES), Marlow suggests unfollowing or blocking accounts that promote dieting, 

, or “thinspo.” Doing so not only helps protect them from harmful content, but also provides an opportunity to highlight the ways in which social media is misleading.

“Engage in regular, open, and honest conversations about the potential dangers of social media,” she says. “Help them understand that many online images are heavily filtered and edited and do not reflect reality. Discuss why certain types of content can be harmful, the impact of comparison culture, and how social media often promotes unrealistic appearance standards.”

While social media is full of potential hazards, don’t forget about the offline factors that could negatively impact your child too, like the use of derogatory, fatphobic, or otherwise diet culture-coded terminology. “Utilize neutral language around body types, food, and exercise, and avoid attaching your child's worth to their body,” Levine says.

“Promoting a body-positive home environment is equally important,” Marlow adds. “Emphasize health and overall well-being rather than focusing solely on appearance. Model positive attitudes towards food and 

, and avoid negative self-talk or negative comments about anyone's body. Encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes a variety of foods and enjoyable physical activities, rather than focusing on restriction or exercise as a means to achieve a specific body type.”

Stay vigilant for potential warning signs.

“Be on the lookout for any changes in your child's eating habits, such as expressing a desire to eat ‘healthier’ or cutting out previously enjoyed foods, as well as an increasing obsession with weight, exercise routines, or appearance,” Marlow advises. “Stay alert for changes in mood, relationships, or signs of emotional withdrawal. Trust your instincts and seek professional help promptly if you have concerns about your child's behavior.”

Marlow reiterates that while social media can offer some benefits for young people—like connecting with friends and family and fostering creative expression—it can also be extremely detrimental to their mental health. “The constant exposure to comparisons, unrealistic appearance standards, unhealthy diet advice, and eating disorder content poses significant risks,” she says. “Young minds are particularly vulnerable to the negative aspects of social media, as they are in the process of developing their sense of identity and self-worth.”

The Equip takeaway on eating disorders and social media

Despite the abundance of harmful content circulating on social media, there is good news here: parents have the authority and influence to truly make a difference and help protect their kids from these hazards in myriad ways. “Social media is prevalent and disordered eating is normalized—as are eating disorders in some parts of the internet,” Levine says. “Stay vigilant and model behaviors that value your own worth as related to your actions, not your body or what you eat. Social media is powerful, but role modeling is more powerful!”

If you’re concerned that your child might have an eating disorder, take Equip’s 

Boston Children’s Digital Wellness Lab’s Pulse Survey. 2022. “Adolescent Media Use: Attitudes, Effects, and Online Experiences.” 

https://digitalwellnesslab.org/wp-content/uploads/Pulse-Survey_Adolescent-Attitudes-Effects-and-Experiences.pdf

Branley, Dawn B., and Judith Covey. 2017. “Pro-Ana versus Pro-Recovery: A Content Analytic Comparison of Social Media Users’ Communication about Eating Disorders on Twitter and Tumblr.” Frontiers in Psychology 8 (1356). 

Riehm, Kira E et al. “Associations Between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among US Youth.” JAMA psychiatry vol. 76,12 (2019): 1266-1273. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2325

Sidani, Jaime E., Ariel Shensa, Beth Hoffman, Janel Hanmer, and Brian A. Primack. 2016. “The Association between Social Media Use and Eating Concerns among US Young Adults.” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 116 (9): 1465–72. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.03.021

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2023. “Social Media and Youth Mental Health.” HHS.gov. Office of the Surgeon General. 2023. 

https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/social-media/index.html

“‘The Winner Dies.’” 2024. Archive.org. Salon.com. 2024. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20100920234343/http://dir.salon.com/mwt/feature/2001/07/23/pro_ana