Social media is affecting our mental health in ways we didn’t foresee when we innocently began writing on our friends’ Facebook ‘walls’ back in 2004. In fact, a March 2018 study found that as many as 41 per cent (of the 1000 Gen Z-ers surveyed) said social media made them feel anxious, sad or depressed. And this is coming from a generation that are, for all intents and purposes, glued to their phones just like the rest of us.
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Instagram’s new pledge to impose stricter rules on the kind of posts that are allowed to exist on its pages is a much welcome one then. Acknowledging that social media has a big part to play in creating pressure on us all to look, act or think a certain way, they are beginning to rethink the rules. Now, upon being reported, any posts that concern weight loss products or certain cosmetic procedures on both Instagram and Facebook will either be restricted from view for those under 18 or removed entirely.
“We believe this is a positive step in protecting people on Instagram,” says Emma Collins, UK Public Policy Manager of Instagram. “We want to ensure there is still space for our community to discuss legitimate health and fitness trends – but we will be taking extra steps to protect young people from this content based on feedback from external experts that it can have adverse effects on their wellbeing.”
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Influencers with millions of followers and celebrities (like Kim Kardashian West) have all been known to promote detox teas and other products that supposedly aid weight loss – but they often rely on (unhealthy) laxative properties to do so. “This is a huge win for our ongoing fight against the diet and detox industry,” says iWeigh founder and activist Jameela Jamil. “Social media platforms like these taking a stand to protect the physical and mental health of people online sends an important message out to the world and, as someone who struggled with an eating disorder for most of my youth, I’ve personally known and suffered the perils of the diet industry so this is a proud day.”
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