Social Media and Eating Disorders

Plaintiffs in social media lawsuits allege use of social media platforms has worsened or caused children to develop eating disorders.

Research supports this allegation and also suggests an association between social media usage and low self-esteem, body image issues and disordered eating. A closer look reveals details about the findings.

• Increased social media use correlates with disordered eating behaviors. A 2024 study involving adolescent girls found that frequent social media use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors.
• Exposure to edited images and extreme diet trends reinforces unrealistic body ideals. Research suggests that edited images and extreme diet trends heighten the risk of developing conditions like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.
• Social comparison on social media platforms contributes to body dissatisfaction. Studies have found that adolescent girls who frequently compare their appearance to others on social media experience greater dissatisfaction with their body, which can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors.

Social media may contribute to eating disorders in several ways, especially among young users who are more susceptible to online influence. Studies suggest that exposure to social media apps may reinforce unhealthy attitudes toward food and body image.

Some of the primary ways social media may contribute to eating disorders include:

• Social comparison: Platform design encourages young users to remain focused on the app, which can lead to behaviors like social comparison and body dissatisfaction.
• Filters and photo editing: Integrated app features like beauty filters distort self-perception, promoting unattainable beauty standards.

Research suggests that these influences may collectively increase the risk of developing anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder by shaping users’ perceptions of what’s considered an ideal body type. As lawsuits against social media companies gain traction, concerns over social media platforms’ potential role in eating disorders continue to grow.

Eating disorders linked to social media use can have serious mental and physical health consequences. Some of the key mental health effects associated with social media-induced eating disorders include those discussed next.

Anxiety and depression 

Studies show a strong connection between disordered eating behaviors and increased anxiety and depression. Social media can amplify these effects by promoting unattainable body ideals. Over time, feelings of inadequacy can contribute to young people developing mental health or mood disorders.

Social isolation 

Many individuals struggling with eating disorders withdraw from social interactions or avoid settings where body image concerns feel heightened. This isolation can worsen feelings of loneliness and make it harder to seek support from family and friends.

Obsession with body image 

Compulsive use of social media platforms may lead to an unhealthy fixation on physical appearance, reinforcing disordered eating patterns. This can result in long-term psychological distress and contribute to serious health complications.

Social media platforms have been associated with an increase in certain eating disorders, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The constant exposure to curated images can contribute to unrealistic body standards and unhealthy eating behaviors.

Some eating disorders that have been linked to social media exposure include:

• Anorexia nervosa: Studies estimate that 1% to 2% of adolescent girls deal with this condition, where individuals severely restrict food intake due to an intense fear of weight gain.
• Bulimia nervosa: People with bulimia engage in cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise. Research suggests that 1% to 5% of adolescent girls meet the diagnostic criteria for this disorder.
• Binge eating disorder: Unlike bulimia, binge eating disorder involves episodes of excessive food consumption without compensatory behaviors. A study of preadolescents found that frequent social media use is associated with a higher risk of developing this disorder.

Other social media-related mental health conditions beyond eating disorders

In addition to eating disorders, social media has been linked to other mental health concerns, particularly among young users. Some of the most frequently reported issues include:

• Addictive or compulsive use
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-harm
• Suicidal ideations and suicide

Recognizing the signs of an eating disorder can be helpful in safeguarding the well-being of yourself or your child. Signs of eating disorders that social media may cause include:

• Obsession with body image: Constantly editing photos, comparing your appearance to influencers or feeling dissatisfied with unfiltered images
• Extreme dietary changes: Adopting restrictive eating patterns, cutting out entire food groups or following extreme online diet trends
• Compulsive exercise tracking: Spending excessive time engaging in fitness challenges, tracking calories obsessively or feeling guilty about missing workouts
• Secrecy around eating habits: Avoiding meals with family, refusing to eat in front of others or showing distress around food choices

Eating disorders are a serious mental health condition that can cause long-term physical and emotional harm. If you or a loved one are a compulsive user of social media and notice these signs, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against social media companies like Meta, Snap and TikTok.

As awareness grows about the potential harm caused by social media, lawsuits have been filed against tech companies for their alleged role in causing eating disorders and other mental health issues. Families, school districts and advocacy groups claim that social media platforms have failed to protect users from developing disordered eating and body image issues.

Social media harm lawsuits have been filed against:

• Alphabet (parent company of YouTube)
• ByteDance (parent company of TikTok)
• Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram)
• Snap, Inc. (parent company of Snapchat)

Lawsuits for young people

Many lawsuits focus on the impact of social media on minors, alleging that social media companies designed features to encourage compulsive use of their platforms. This compulsive use can expose young users to harmful weight-loss trends, beauty filters and unrealistic body ideals. Plaintiffs allege that these platforms have led to severe eating disorders, mental health crises and, in some cases, hospitalizations.

Some key allegations include:

• Social media companies design their platforms to maximize engagement
• Defective designs on social media platforms expose young people to unforeseen dangers
• Tech companies have failed to implement effective safeguards to prevent harm to vulnerable users.

Lawsuits filed by school districts

School districts across the country have also taken legal action, arguing that social media companies have contributed to a youth mental health crisis. These lawsuits claim the increase in eating disorders, anxiety and depression among students has placed an additional strain on school resources. Legal claims made by school districts focus on:

• Increased demand for mental health services in schools due to social media-related harm
• The financial burden of hiring additional counselors and support staff to address student mental health concerns
• The failure of social media platforms to implement proper safeguards, despite growing evidence of its negative impact on young users

As litigation against social media companies continues to expand, more families and institutions are seeking accountability

Motley Rice attorneys have worked for decades fighting for families and people. Our experience includes representing people suing tech companies because of harm they’ve suffered.

You may be eligible to file a lawsuit for social media harm if you or your child:

• Attempted or died by suicide
• Received treatment for self-harm
• Received a diagnosis of a mental health disorder from a healthcare professional

If you believe these conditions were caused or worsened by social media and you need help filing a lawsuit for social media harm, please contact us. Your well-being is important to our team.

Read more about filing a social media lawsuit.