The rise of “SkinnyTok”—a viral hashtag on TikTok—has sparked international alarm for its role in promoting extreme and unhealthy weight loss behaviors, especially among young users. This trend, which amassed over half a million posts, became a hub for content that glorified thinness, encouraged restrictive diets, and, in many cases, directly promoted disordered eating habits. Videos under #SkinnyTok often showcased “what I eat in a day” routines, extreme workout regimens, and guilt-inducing messages such as “you aren’t ugly, you are just fat,” reinforcing toxic body image ideals and vilifying weight gain.

Health experts and advocacy groups quickly flagged the trend as dangerous. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders noted that while some posts presented themselves as healthy lifestyle tips, the overwhelming majority celebrated thinness and disparaged normal body diversity, directly encouraging behaviors linked to eating disorders. Nutritionists and mental health professionals, especially in France, voiced concerns about the powerful influence of such content on impressionable teens, with some warning that a single consultation could not counteract the hours of exposure young people had to these harmful messages online.

The situation escalated when European regulators and France’s digital minister called on TikTok to take stronger action. After weeks of mounting pressure, public petitions, and direct appeals to TikTok executives, the platform responded by globally blocking search results for #SkinnyTok. Now, users searching for the hashtag are redirected to mental health support resources, a move widely praised by officials and advocacy groups as a significant step toward protecting vulnerable users. France’s Digital Minister Clara Chappaz described the ban as a “collective victory,” emphasizing the ongoing fight to safeguard children and teens online.

Despite TikTok’s stated policies against promoting disordered eating and harmful weight loss practices, critics argue that the platform’s algorithm has historically enabled such content to reach vast audiences, exacerbating the risks for those already predisposed to eating disorders. Experts warn that the visual and viral nature of TikTok’s short-form videos makes it especially easy for harmful trends to spread quickly, often outpacing moderation efforts. Individuals recovering from eating disorders have spoken out about their frustration with the platform’s slow response and the emotional toll of repeatedly encountering triggering content.

In response to the controversy, TikTok has reiterated its commitment to user safety, stating that it routinely reviews and updates its safety protocols to address emerging risks. The company has also limited videos from teen accounts and increased the visibility of health resources within its search functions. However, experts caution that ongoing vigilance and stronger regulation are needed, as users and content creators often find ways to circumvent bans and repackage harmful messages under new hashtags.