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Instagram's Algorithm Fuels Eating Disorder Risks Among Vulnerable Teens
Meta Platforms internal research indicates that Instagrams algorithm significantly exposes vulnerable teens to eating disorder-related content, exacerbating body image issues among users.
- In a study conducted during the 2023-2024 school year, over 1,100 teens reported that Instagram worsened their body image perceptions.
- Teenagers who felt negative about their bodies encountered approximately 10.5% of their Instagram feed containing eating disorder-related content, three times more than their peers.
- Meta Platforms findings raise concerns about how Instagrams algorithm targets vulnerable users, further fueling the risk of developing eating disorders.
Why It Matters
This research highlights a critical public health issue as Instagrams algorithm may contribute to the rising incidence of eating disorders among adolescents, prompting calls for accountability and reforms in social media practices.