The company’s new policy bans ads for fasting apps and weight loss supplements. TikTok is also putting increased restrictions on other weight-loss-related ads. These include limiting publication of “weight management products” so they are only visible to users over 18 years old. These new restrictions have been put in place to reduce the exposure of potentially harmful imagery and language to TikTok users — a predominantly teenage demographic. So, what will TikTok be bringing into play?
Weight management products will only be able to reach users older than 18 years oldThere will be ‘stronger restrictions’ on weight-loss claims‘Further restrictions’ will be put in place to limit irresponsible claims made by brands that promote weight-loss management or controlAds promoting weight loss and weight management products or services will not be able to promote a negative body image or negative relationship with food
Some of these policies are relatively vague but are certainly a step in the right direction. TikTok also announced in the blog post that it will be supporting Weight Stigma Awareness Week by launching a dedicated page in the app to promote the #EndWeightHateCampaign. The aim of this page is to educate TikTok’s (mostly teen) audience about what weight stigma is, why it should matter to everyone, and how they can find support or support others who may be struggling. TikTok partner and National Eating Disorders Association CEO Claire Mysko said: — Sophia Smith Galer (@sophiasgaler) September 23, 2020
Reporting: If you come across ads or content that promote harmful behaviors or imagery, you can report it by long pressing on the video, selecting “report,” and choosing “self-harm”Not interested: If you come across content that might be triggering or upsetting to you, long-press on the video, select “not interested,” and choose to hide future videos from the creator or hide videos that use the same soundComment filters: In the Privacy section of the settings, select “comment filters.” The first option automatically hides offensive comments detected on videos. The second options lets you create a custom list of keywords so that comments containing those words will be hidden automatically, tooBlocking: If you’re experiencing unkind behavior, you can block and report them directly from their profile so that they can’t find or engage with your content
TikTok creator and body positivity advocate, Anna O’Brien (@glitterandlazers), said: BuzzFeed News reported in February that the app was “filled with pro-eating disorder content” — which is likely to be triggering to some viewers. Rolling Stone also reported that TikTok was “advertising dangerous fasting diets to teenage girls.” Plus, in July, the New York Post wrote about the dangers behind the app’s “what I eat in a day” trend, in which people sometimes show themselves eating very little. There have even been a few petitions circulating to initiate the ban of weight loss ads on TikTok. This ban comes in light of other social media apps coming under fire, especially after the death of Molly Russell in the UK. The 14-year-old comitted suicide in 2017 after viewing graphic images of self harm and suicide on Instagram. This move from TikTok is a huge step in the right direction. But, as social media becomes more forefronted in teen lives, it’s vital that all social media platforms step up to challenge harmful ads.
