Social Media Platforms Like Instagram and TikTok Exacerbate Adolescent Anxiety in Women and Girls
6.7.25
The rise of social media has been accompanied by a concerning trend in the mental health of young people, particularly women and girls. Experts warn that social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter can create unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt among users.
A recent study found that moderate to severe depressive symptoms among adolescents increased from 9.6% in 2013 to 20.9% in 2021, indicating a deteriorating mental health situation with serious long-term consequences. Social media exacerbates the challenges faced by young people, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
French dietitian Carole Copti notes that misinformation from influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is a huge problem when treating teenagers struggling with these disorders. According to her, social media can push vulnerable young people towards developing eating disorders by promoting unrealistic thinness and false diet advice. Psychiatrist Nathalie Godart agrees, stating that while social media is not the cause of mental health issues, it can be the "straw that breaks the camel's back" for those already struggling.
In response to these concerns, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has emphasized the need for accessible support nationwide to address the deteriorating mental health situation.
Michigan's Underfunded Mental Health Services Exacerbate Student Struggles in Schools
6.6.25
Michigan's education system is grappling with a mental health crisis as schools struggle to provide essential services due to a significant decline in per-pupil funding. A recent report highlights the need for policymakers and school leaders to prioritize student mental health, emphasizing innovative solutions such as virtual therapy and social-emotional learning programs.
The Ripple Effect report found that 80% of parents are satisfied with virtual mental health services for their children, suggesting that this approach can be effective in addressing the crisis. However, students requiring speech or occupational therapy face additional challenges, which can exacerbate difficulties in learning, communication, and social integration.
Excessive screen time is also a contributing factor to the mental health crisis in Michigan schools, according to experts.
Tech Giants Like Apple and OpenAI Fuel Youth Mental Health Crisis Amid Calls for Stricter Regulations
6.4.25
The tech industry has been criticized for its negative impact on youth mental health, with concerns raised by prominent figures such as Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive. This shift from innovation driven by "service to humanity" to a profit-driven model has led to the proliferation of social media platforms that can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and loneliness among young people.
Critics argue that tech companies contribute to this issue through their aggressive marketing tactics, which promote excessive screen time and unhealthy habits. The World Health Organization has warned that excessive screen time can lead to depression and anxiety in children, with many experts calling for stricter regulations on the tech industry.
Apple's partnership with OpenAI is seen as an attempt to promote a more optimistic vision for technology, one that prioritizes human well-being over profit. However, critics argue that this effort may be too little, too late, given the entrenched nature of the tech industry's negative impact on youth mental health.
Jonathan Ive has spoken out about the need for tech companies to prioritize design that promotes well-being over profit-driven innovation. The Indian government has taken steps to address the issue, launching initiatives such as education and awareness campaigns to reduce obesity rates among children. However, more needs to be done to hold tech companies accountable for their role in perpetuating this public health crisis.
The World Health Organization's warning about excessive screen time is a key concern, with many experts calling for stricter regulations on the tech industry.
The rise of social media has been linked to a significant increase in eating disorders among young women and girls. According to research, the global prevalence of eating disorders rose from 3.5% in 2000 to 7.8% in 2018, coinciding with the growth of social media.
French psychiatrist Nathalie Godart warns that social media can be a trigger and accelerator for these conditions by normalizing extreme thinness and unhealthy behaviors. Social media platforms like TikTok have been criticized for promoting unattainable beauty standards and "skinny" trends, such as the #skinnytok hashtag, which can lead to vulnerable individuals feeling pressure to engage in disordered eating behaviors.
French dietitian Carole Copti notes that social media influencers' misinformation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is now considered when treating teenagers struggling with these disorders. Charlyne Buigues, a French nurse specializing in eating disorders, condemns videos showcasing young girls with anorexia and bulimia, which normalize these problems online.
According to Buigues, social media can make it difficult for those recovering from eating disorders to access accurate information and support, as many influencers share misleading nutrition advice that can be detrimental to their health. She advises her patients to delete their social media accounts, particularly TikTok, until they are better informed about healthy nutrition.
The normalization of extreme thinness and unhealthy behaviors on social media has severe consequences, including increased risk of cardiac arrest, infertility, and suicidal behavior.
The spread of body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards on social media platforms has been a growing concern in recent years, with TikTok being at the forefront of this issue. According to Amber Johnson, a British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist, the platform is criticized for spreading misinformation that can exacerbate mental health issues related to eating disorders.
A study by The Guardian found that videos on TikTok may worsen distress in struggling users, making them feel like failures when tips don't deliver results. This perpetuates the cycle of self-criticism and negative body image, which can lead to severe consequences such as cardiac arrest, infertility, and suicidal behavior.
The two main sub-types of anorexia nervosa, Restricting type and Binge-eating or purging type, have severe physical symptoms, including hormonal imbalances such as irregular periods, loss of libido, and infertility. The Restricting type is the most common form, where individuals severely limit their food intake, leading to poor circulation, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and low iron levels.
The consequences of eating disorders are severe and far-reaching, making it essential for social media platforms like TikTok to take responsibility for promoting positive body image and preventing the spread of misinformation that can exacerbate mental health issues.
Australia Tackles Weight-Based Bullying and Eating Disorders
6.1.25
Australia has been at the forefront of addressing body shaming through its national conversation on body image, a critical initiative to promote positive body image and combat mental health issues. The government's efforts have been fueled by research highlighting the devastating consequences of body shaming, including the link between weight-related bullying and eating disorders.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescents who experienced weight-based bullying were more likely to develop eating disorders and mental health issues. The National Eating Disorders Association survey found that 75% of people with eating disorders reported being bullied about their weight, underscoring the urgent need for change.
Research suggests that constant criticism and negative comments about one's weight can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Fat shaming can have severe consequences on a person's mental health, regardless of their body size. The Australian government's initiatives aim to create a culture shift by promoting positive body image in schools through campaigns and education programs.
Lisa Curry, a triple Olympian, has taken her personal experience with loss into action by leading an appeal for volunteers to participate in a major study on eating disorders. Her daughter Jaimi's death five years ago has driven her advocacy efforts. By addressing the root causes of body shaming, Australia is taking a crucial step towards improving mental health outcomes for its citizens.
The rise of social media has brought about numerous benefits, but it also poses significant risks to young users, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where a recent study found that nearly 70% of teenagers experience online harassment on platforms such as Instagram.
In June 2019, internal documents revealed that an Instagram report found nearly 2 million minor accounts were recommended to 'groomers' within a three-month period. This staggering number highlights the platform's failure to protect its young users from potential harm.
Experts warn that parents' lack of knowledge about online slang and Gen Z language can exacerbate this issue, making it difficult for them to navigate and protect their children's well-being on social media platforms. Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen's internal research revealed that Instagram poses toxic risks to teenage girls' mental health, including thoughts of suicide and eating disorders.
The company's failure to address these issues poses significant regulatory, legal, and reputational risk. With 41 US states and the District of Columbia suing Meta over its handling of addictive features that harm young users, it is clear that action must be taken to protect vulnerable populations in countries like Bangladesh where online harassment is a major concern.
Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia can be transmitted through intimate contact between partners. A recent study found that couples where one partner had mental health problems were more likely to "infect" their healthy spouse with similar bacteria in their mouth microbiome.
The study discovered that formerly healthy spouses exhibited higher scores for depression, anxiety, and insomnia after six months, with increased levels of cortisol. The researchers used DNA sequencing techniques to examine the mouth bacteria of both partners before and after this period. This suggests that the bacteria exchanged through kissing may be mediating these mental health issues.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, with pandemic-era stressors increasing rates by up to 25 percent.
Dr. Tyler's Mindful Eating Approach for Emotional Balance and Anxiety Relief
5.31.25
Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of developing healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and emotions, as emotional eating can be a sign of underlying issues like anxiety or depression. Dr. Tyler, a leading expert in mindfulness-based interventions, recommends his approach to achieving emotional balance through mindful eating.
Dr. Tyler's approach involves cultivating awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations while engaging with food. This practice encourages individuals to develop a greater understanding of their emotional triggers and make conscious choices about what they eat. For instance, Dr. Tyler suggests that individuals pay attention to the physical sensations in their body when eating, such as hunger or fullness cues, to develop a healthier relationship with food.
By paying attention to these physical sensations while eating, individuals can better understand how certain foods affect them emotionally and make more informed choices about what they eat. This practice is an essential component of Dr. Tyler's approach to mindful eating for emotional balance.
Regular mindfulness practice has also been shown to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. By incorporating mindful eating into their daily routine, individuals can develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their overall well-being.