TikTok Cracks Down: #SkinnyTok Banned Amidst EU Pressure, But Is It Enough?

In a significant move to combat the proliferation of harmful content, TikTok has officially removed the #SkinnyTok hashtag from its search results. The platform, notorious for the rapid spread of trends, had seen the hashtag become a breeding ground for creators promoting unhealthy weight-loss practices and restrictive eating behaviors.

This decisive action by TikTok follows considerable pressure from European regulators. In April, France’s Minister for Digital Media, Clara Chappaz, specifically called on the nation’s media regulator, Arcom, to investigate the hashtag. Arcom subsequently collaborated with the European Commission, which described the videos as “revolting and absolutely unacceptable.” This ban also comes as the European Commission continues its broader investigation into TikTok’s risk management concerning addictive design and harmful content, an inquiry that began in February 2024.

Now, users attempting to search for #SkinnyTok are met with a landing page offering support and resources. The message reads: “If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food, or exercise—it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone.” It further provides a link to an explainer on eating disorders, steps for seeking support, and emergency information, aligning with TikTok’s existing community guidelines that prohibit content promoting eating disorders or dangerous weight loss.

However, the question remains: is this ban a definitive solution? Despite TikTok’s community guidelines and previous actions, like banning controversial user Liv Schmidt, harmful content often finds new avenues. Critics point to the “whack-a-mole” problem, where users simply migrate to new hashtags or platforms to continue sharing problematic material. The #SkinnyTok hashtag itself had continued to host harmful content even after TikTok introduced an initial warning message for searches.

As TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance and boasting 1.58 billion monthly users globally, navigates the complexities of content moderation, the removal of #SkinnyTok represents a crucial step. Yet, the ongoing challenge lies in effectively policing its vast platform to ensure user safety against ever-evolving forms of harmful content.

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