TikTok has banned the hashtag #SkinnyTok, but experts say that’s not enough.

Even after this ban, young users are still being fed content glorifying disordered eating, body shaming, and extreme weight loss—often under new hashtags or code words like #Fitspo or #AlmondMomCore.

That’s because TikTok’s algorithm rewards clicks, not safety. Once a teen views one body-centric video, the platform feeds them more—and more—of the same.

According to experts, this exposure can contribute to poor body image, dangerous behaviors, and full-blown eating disorders. The content isn’t always obvious—“What I Eat in a Day” videos, so-called “discipline” routines, and wellness influencers often disguise restrictive eating and obsessive control as empowerment.

Banning a hashtag doesn’t fix the problem. The algorithm is the problem.

We, the undersigned, call on TikTok to reprogram its algorithm to limit exposure to weight-obsessed content, especially for underage users. Stop recommending content that promotes restrictive eating, even if it avoids banned terms.
 

TikTok’s own community guidelines prohibit promoting eating disorders. It’s time they take real action to enforce them—starting with fixing the system that spreads this harm in the first place.