Instagram and Eating Disorders - KOAT News Segment

Why is Instagram pushing eating disorder content to its users, especially young ones?

Director, Lisa Honold, spoke on KOAT’s morning news about eating disorder content and the effect it can have on kids.

According to studies, Instagram’s algorithm has been pushing eating disorder content to users whom it feels are interested in that type of content.

The research shows that once a user was identified in eating disorder or weight loss content, they were then flooded with suggestions of accounts to follow that created or shared that type of content.

How can you know if your child is being exposed to that sort of information?

Are they suddenly more self conscious of their weight/body image? Are they wearing baggy clothes? Are they interested in changing their eating habits?

Parents can help protect their kids by monitoring what accounts they are following and their suggested accounts. We can change what the algorithm is showing them by changing which accounts they follow.