Study reveals social media's growing influence on eating disorders among adolescents. Here is what parents need to know

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The impact of screen time and social media

A recent research titled, "Screen time, problematic screen use, and eating disorder symptoms among early adolescents: findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study" has highlighted a concerning trend: each additional hour of screen time, particularly on social media, is linked to an increased risk of developing eating disorder symptoms. Adolescents who spend more time online are also more vulnerable to cyberbullying, a factor known to exacerbate eating disorders. Dr. Jason Nagata, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, found that every extra hour of social media use raises the likelihood of developing binge eating disorder by 62%.

While binge-watching shows and scrolling through feeds may seem harmless, experts argue that these activities can trigger unhealthy behaviors, influencing not just what kids consume digitally but also how they perceive their bodies.

Connection between social media and eating disorders

So, why does social media have such a significant impact on eating disorders? The reasons are multi-faceted, according to experts. Erin Birely, a licensed counselor with the Renfrew Center, notes that social media amplifies exposure to unattainable body ideals and encourages unhealthy