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The ubiquitous photo app, which has previously come under fire for promoting unrealistic body standards, is providing resources to support users throughout National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
When it comes to those afflicted with eating disorders or body dysmorphia, social media is often a triggering factor – especially when talking Gen Z. Therefore, it’s the moral duty of the biggest online platforms to provide accessible support for those who’re struggling.
Community leaders across Instagram are determined to do just that.
Having recently integrated both general advice and professional help prompts within Facebook for Mental Health Month, Instagram is now pitting its attention on spreading empowering ‘self-love content,’ and supporting vulnerable users throughout National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
In a new blog update, Instagram has outlined how searching for hashtags or topics synonymous with eating disorders and body confidence will trigger a new pop-up system. These prompts will offer to connect users with professional support, and will require an extra action before proceeding to the original search result.
It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and we’re sharing new ways we’re supporting people affected by negative body image or eating disorders.
Now when you search for eating disorder-related content, the first thing you'll see is expert resources ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3fRLpGtPxw
— Instagram (@instagram) February 22, 2021
Upon selecting ‘Get Resources,’ users will be connected with contacts for eating disorder experts within their local area, such as Beat in the UK, National Eating Disorder Information Centre in Canada, and the Butterfly Foundation in Australia. Crisis helplines will also be available including, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Veteran’s Crisis Lin, and Trevor Project.
Beyond this, expert advice on building body confidence will also be available through accessible slides built in partnership with the National Eating Disorder Association in the US.
