The Impact of Social Media on Eating Disorder Recovery

By Azélie Maurice

I was scrolling on my phone as usual. It was the beginning of my summer break after my third year of university. Naively, I thought. Spending time on TikTok would provide a break from my bachelor’s dissertation topic. My topic was eating disorder (ED) advocacy. I had seemingly underestimated the algorithm. Instead of detaching, I found myself continuing to reflect on the subject. I was jotting down ideas while browsing (intentionally or not) pro-
recovery content. 
What I came across was quite revealing. I was in a completely non-academic setting. I
typed “ED Recovery” into the search bar. I began watching videos. I loosely analyzed them
through the lens of my existing knowledge. Most of the content focused on success
stories. It portrayed ED recovery as a linear process. Recovery was often tied to weight
gain. Some videos showed treatment centers and their structured routines. Sometimes,
though more rarely, users openly criticized treatment approaches (positively or negatively).
Much of the content was also highly inspirational. The eating disorder itself was often
personified as a vicious “third party.” This entity must be eradicated. 
This reminded me of an association I recently joined. It is Nalgona Positivity Pride (Lucas
2024). This is an autonomous ED advocacy group focusing on the lived experiences of
minorities suffering from eating disorders. This group advocates for harm reduction and
patient-centered approaches to treatment and recovery. I began to wonder whether the
recovery narratives I encountered on TikTok aligned with harm reduction principles.
(Spoiler: they don’t, or at least not entirely.) 

Two Studies of ED Recovery Content on Instagram and TikTok 
To address my initial lack of professionalism and self-interpreted observations, I turned to
more reliable and academically rigorous sources. I found two studies that explored the
Eating Disorder Recovery (EDR) community. One study focused on TikTok content. The
other study focused on Instagram. 

The first study examined TikTok and emphasized the performative nature of eating
disorder recovery content shared on the platform(Benzel et al. 2025). In simple terms,
users often express strong commitment to recovery. Yet, their posts do not necessarily
show the full complexity of the condition. They also do not show the struggles it entails.
For example, many users film motivational “What I Eat in a Day” videos. These videos
showcase their recovery progress. They do not depict the realities of living with an eating
disorder. The study also pointed out content focusing on eating disorders’ muted aspects.
It highlights users’ challenges and their lived experiences with the condition. While these
seem more authentic, the authors note the mimetic nature of TikTok videos. Often, ED
recovery narratives replicate trends already in the media. This influences how they are
created and shared. While imitation is not always the driving motivation behind these
posts, it can shape their content. The article also noted that TikTok serves as a tool for
self-monitoring. It can help in externalization. Users seek control or self-reflection by
posting about their bodies. 

The second article explored how eating disorder recovery content is shared on Instagram.
It found that users often document their recovery journeys in ED diaries, combining daily
updates (pictures of their daily food intake, for instance) with inspirational quotes to
express progress and hope(Benzel et al. 2025). Yet, the study also highlighted the
potential risks of triggering content within recovery posts. Unlike pro-ED communities,
which are typically banned from platforms, EDR content remains largely accessible. It
exists in the gray zone between posts that encourage relapses and those that inspire
recovery. The gray zone content may include users revealing their struggles within their
healing journey and encouraging quotes or positive content. Taken together, these two
articles highlight the performative and self-reassurance aspects of eating disorder recovery
content. 

It seems that this content does not align with harm reduction approaches. Most recovery
narratives are often intended to inspire or motivate. However, they also promote idealized
versions of healing. These versions often overlook the complexity and non-linear nature of
recovery. It seems to put pressure on both video makers. They seek to recover quickly and
completely to share encouraging content. It also puts pressure on their audiences, who
internalize unrealistic expectations about what healing “should” look like.  

Harm Reduction Approaches and Abstinence Paradigms

Harm reduction, as described in an article from Psychology Today,(Price 2023),
is an approach that centers on bodily autonomy. It rejects imposing external standards of
health or morality. It maintains that individuals are the primary decision-makers over their
bodies. Support should be provided unconditionally. Forcing change on someone who
is not ready is not effective. It also violates their consent and dignity. 

An article from the Spring Source Psychology Center (Angela & Susan 2024) highlights an
important point. It explains the value of viewing harm reduction and abstinence differently.
These are not opposing approaches. They are two ends of a continuum in eating disorder
(ED) recovery. A hybrid model, starting with harm reduction and potentially integrating
abstinence-based goals later, could offer better outcomes. 

Importantly, many in the ED community argue that strict abstinence is unrealistic. It is even
harmful, as it frames relapse as failure. This increases distress and discouragement. In
contrast, harm reduction allows for flexibility, supporting individuals as they move back and
forth in their journey toward health.  That said, harm reduction is not without challenges.
Progress is harder to measure. Recovery can be slower. Societal expectations rooted in
perfectionism and binary thinking can resist its implementation. Similarly, abstinence-
based programs can be psychologically demanding and rigid. They worsen anxiety or limit
access for those not ready to commit to such structure. Consequently, the article argues
that a blended approach that combines harm reduction’s flexibility with abstinence’s
structure, will foster long-term recovery. 

What May Cause the Over-Representation of the Abstinence Pattern on Social Media? 

The over-representation of abstinence-based narratives in eating disorder recovery
content on social media may originate from historical events. It stems from the
medicalization of eating disorders. This refers to how they were primarily clinically defined
and treated. In many treatment settings, access to care is conditional on demonstrating
compliance (whether through weight restoration, strict behavioral change, or a visible
commitment to recovery goals.)

This framing defines what counts as “valid” recovery. It also shapes who is considered
worthy of care, as argued by the anthropologist Rebecca Lester (Lester, 2021). Those who
demonstrate they are “doing recovery right” are more likely to receive affirmation. They
radically cut disordered behaviors. They are also more likely to receive support and
institutional resources. Sharing content that demonstrates progress can gain social
approval. It shows discipline and a desire to be “fully healed.” It could also provide
symbolic access to legitimacy and care. 

I hypothesize that social media algorithms amplify this further. Platforms like TikTok and
Instagram reward content that is clear and emotionally engaging, characteristics that are
well-suited to abstinence narratives. In contrast, recovery stories framed around harm
reduction involve a level of nuance. They also have complexity that does not always lend
itself to virality. 

Harm reduction frameworks prioritize patient-centered healing methods. Gloria Lucas
and Nalgona Positivity Pride promote these values. They often clash with mainstream
health discourses and treatment structures. These approaches challenge normative ideals
of success and health. As a result, they are often less visible. They are also less rewarded
in clinical settings and on social media. 

Sources:
Angela, D. & Susan, M., 2024, Exploring The Harm Reduction Model And Abstinence
Strategies For Help With Eating Disorders- A Nuanced Approach, Spring Source
Psychological Center.

NOTE:  World Eating Disorders Action ™ is a global independent collective founded in 2014 by activists and people with lived experience across the globe to share correct information about eating disorders, promote evidence based treatment and offer a platform for like minded organizations to promote policy, research and program advances, ultimately to help those affected and their families.  We bring together over 300 organizations from over 60 countries globally each year.  Blog posts by individuals and agencies are the opinions and perspectives of those contributing and not necessarily the views of World Eating Disorders Action.