A qualitative study by researchers at Loughborough, Bristol and Melbourne, (Australia) universities explored how social media algorithms shape users’ experiences.
They interviewed 31 UK adults who identified as having current or past eating disorders and examined how algorithms on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok influenced what content they saw.
Despite using social media to seek out mental wellbeing and recovery content, participants described being drawn into repetitive cycles of body-focused content, including weight-loss videos and beauty-focused posts.
These patterns often reinforced unhealthy thinking, with one participant explaining that scrolling meant ‘you’re looking at somebody telling the story of their weight loss, it’s all your senses … and then you move on to the next video and it’s the same again’.
Others reported feeling ‘bombarded’ with dieting and fitness advertisements after engaging with eating-disorder-related material.
The researchers found that these algorithmic feedback loops could intensify feelings of guilt, comparison and obsession around food and appearance.
Professor Paula Saukko, lead author of the paper, ‘It shows me mental health things … and keeps spamming diets’: a qualitative, spatial perspective on how people with eating disorders experience algorithms shaping their movement across social media, said: “Exposure to recovery content was sometimes double-edged, with supportive spaces occasionally triggering harmful comparisons.
“However, many participants used platforms to access body-positive messaging, self-compassion content and practical recovery advice.
“Some actively curated their feeds to prioritise mental-health content, describing affirmations and supportive posts as ‘that little boost that everything’s ok’.
“Others used saved messages or imagery as coping tools during difficult moments.”
Prof Saukko also said the findings show that people do not simply accept what algorithms show them.
Participants reported developing their own strategies to manage their online environments, including blocking triggering content, unfollowing accounts and reporting inappropriate advertising.
Researchers describe these as ‘DIY’ digital wellbeing practices that helped users harness social media constructively.
Prof Saukko said: “The relationship between eating disorders and social media is complex.
“While algorithms can guide vulnerable users toward harmful content, they can also facilitate recovery resources and connection.
“Policy and educational responses should move beyond framing social media as purely negative and instead focus on improving user control, transparency around recommendation systems, and digital literacy.”
As debates continue in the UK over young people’s phone and social media use, the research provides new evidence that attention should focus not only on-screen time but also on how platform algorithms shape online experiences.
ENDS