TikTok has banned the use of the hashtag #SkinnyTok worldwide starting today after receiving pressure from the French government. The hashtag is being used to promote an unhealthy lifestyle to young women or girls. So, what should you know about it?
The hashtag promotes unhealthy ways to lose weight
For your information, the issue of social media starting unhealthy and dangerous trends has been arising since it was first used by the public more than two decades ago. Each platform has its policies, and sometimes pressure from authorities is ignored on the grounds of freedom of expression.
Moreover, a TikTok spokesperson confirmed to Euractiv that "the SkinnyTok hashtag ban is enforced globally." As part of the company's regular review of safety measures, it has moved to block the hashtag because it is "linked to unhealthy weight loss content", they said.
The move raises questions over the credibility of the European Commission as a tech enforcer, after the French government chose to pressure TikTok directly rather than involve the EU executive.
Is Malaysia affected too?
Recently, we mentioned that Meta and X have received reprimands from the Minister of Communications because they are said not to be doing enough to curb the problem of cyberbullying and online fraud.
While there are no reported cases of unhealthy weight loss caused by the hashtag, we could assume the phenomenon might be happening here, but due to peer pressure, cyberbullying and various other causes instead.
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