TW: body dysmorphia, EDs
I’m curious if anyone else has also experienced this recently, but seemingly overnight my social media fee has turned into 2010s tumblr – entirely packed with weight loss, before and after, diet, how I got to x lbs etc content
This is without me searching for or engaging with any of it, it sort of just came at me
I’m also wondering if this is just tailored to women or men are also experiencing this. But it is really concerning. I’ve seen and been subjected to the damage of this in 2010s growing up and suffered from an ED. It’s been very triggering lately to be bombarded by all this again. I tried muting certain words, ignoring and scrolling fast but it keeps coming. Might just need to get off of socials entirely.
What’s going on? Are you experiencing this too?
Comments
I was just thinking that I’m getting a lot more Ozempic/Zepbound ads. I thought maybe I’m noticing them more since a family member was just prescribed it, but I don’t know. I also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a current “trend” that they’re capitalizing on.
ABSOLUTELY! That and Botox pushing. I’m so sick of it. It’s horrible to see that kind of thing all the time, actually. I’m annoyed by it.
TikTok especially has been pushing weight loss content on me SOOO hard. I don’t mind workout or recipe content but lately it’s been constant weight loss transformation and GLP1 content. I try to scroll as quickly as possible when I realize it’s that kind of content and it’s been slowing down a bit
I haven’t – but I follow a lot of people who are doing weight loss from being severely obese, dieticians who are science-based, and general promotion of health at any size. So while it is weight loss and health focused, it’s not “you must be skinny and here’s 5 ways you can trick yourself into thinking you’re full” type of stuff.
I’ve read some stuff that seems pretty convincing that this is alt-right propaganda. Keep women focused on being skinny and tearing down others so we’re distracted with our looks and weakening ourselves instead of what is happening in front of us. If you’re hungry, you can’t fight back.
It’s linked to the rise in fascism generally.
We’re approaching summer in the Northern hemisphere. Lots of people are feeling anxious about wearing less clothes, so the diet industry preys in that.
a) No, my social media doesn’t show me that kind of content, I had to train it.
b) No, men are not shown this kind of thing, as soon as you tell the algorithm you’re a man they start bombarding you with violent and misogynistic stuff
c) You don’t have to take it, it takes about three days, but after you notice a reel is about dieting you have to go to the three dots and choose “show less like this” or “report”. It takes effort, you shouldn’t need to, but that’s how it works.
I mean, it would also be healthy to go off social media, but if you choose to stay doing c) is your best bet.
Yes! And promoting ED and super restrictive eating. It’s disgusting. I especially hate that girl that spins around in grocery stores hating on everything
I always click not interested but it’s incessant. I just want my cat videos and my food video algorithm back!!
I’m getting so much of it lately . I looked into my targeted ads and it said they’re showing me weight loss ads because they’ve identified my interests as ‘plus size fashion ‘ . I’ve been getting so much body checking and pretty extreme weight loss content on Instagram recommended a lot more in the last year. We compared mine and my partner’s feed, his was full of hobbies and mine had at least a third be related to weight loss or changing your appearance when I really don’t interact with that stuff on there. It’s definitely a gendered thing
Yes, and I also never interact with or search for that type of content. What’s even worse is that I started noticing myself slowly getting more self conscious about my body as a result despite the fact that I’ve never had body image issues previously.
Do you live with other people? There are 4 people using the same WiFi in my house and we have figured out that when one person searches for something, other people get ads or recommendations for that thing.
My mom bought me something as a gift and I started getting video ads for it before my birthday. I am a yarn crafter and my sister gets a lot of recommendations for creators that work with yarn.
I’m also experiencing this, it’s getting really frustrating/annoying ):
Yep, and I hate it. Also in recovery over here. I’ve not sought out the content. I’ve done the “show less” and “report” options consistently and it’s not improving much, tbh.