Trigger warning: This text discusses disordered eating.
TikTok may be an entertaining space, but unfortunately, there may be at all times a dark side to social media. Although highlighting the trends are fun, we must discuss the not-so-positive ones. As body checking dominates the platform, we all know we must inform our readers about this dangerous craze.
Body checking (BC) is definitely not a recent concept, but it surely has been popping up a ton on our FYP, also referred to as the specially cultivated explore page, #ForYouPage. Based on a study done in 2019, BC is a behavior aimed toward gaining information in your body shape, size, or weight, and it’s specifically related to body dissatisfaction.
“Once we body check offline, it’s the weather of our body we dislike that we normally concentrate on,” Dr. Lara Zibarras, a psychologist and food freedom coach, told Dazed Beauty. “Ultimately this ends in a distorted perception of our body. It’s this distorted perception, together with continuous negative thoughts about our bodies, that take up loads of mental capability which negatively impacts our ability to pay attention or think clearly.”
Body checking on TikTok is dangerous because although the precise hashtag has thousands and thousands of views, it’s difficult to pin down how widespread this trend is taking on the platform. Going back to the 2010s, Tumblr users can do not forget that the glamorization of disordered eating content wasn’t subtle in any respect. On TikTok, it’s difficult to flag covert body-checking content reminiscent of jawline checks or people using filters to create thinspo videos. Offline body checking, though, can appear like always occurring the dimensions, mirror checking and fixating on specific areas of your body.
Body checking has popped up in other niches, reminiscent of the food and exercise community, under the umbrella of healthy living and wellness trends. So it’s difficult to say how this trend may be slowed down when it’s ever-evolving. Personally, I and plenty of others have echoed that TikTok could make it easier for users to have more control over the videos we devour on the platform. Although they struggle to flag harmful content, it’s nearly inconceivable to mass-block the covert videos which have now taken over the platform.
Until users have more control over what they’re seeing, for those who or someone you already know is coping with body checking or eating disorders, please seek skilled support. It is straightforward to sit down behind a pc and wax poetic about loving yourself, but a trend should never persuade you you will not be beautiful as you’re, regardless of your body shape, size, or weight. You might be seen, and you’re beautiful as you’re.
When you or someone you already know is fighting body image or eating concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free and confidential helpline is out there by phone or text at 1-800-931-2237 or by click-to-chat message at nationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For twenty-four/7 crisis situations, text “NEDA” to 741-741.
About Allanah: Allanah Dykes is a freelance author. Her work has appeared in NPR, Popsugar, Food52, and Complex publications. Raised on Long Island, NY, surrounded by diverse fashion, beauty, and culture, she prides herself on infusing her upbringing into every article she writes.
No Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.