The French government has begun actions against the #SkinnyTok phenomenon on TikTok, which has been criticized for promoting extreme thinness among adolescents. Clara Chappaz, the Minister for Digital Media, has reported these concerns to Arcom (the French regulatory authority) and the European Union, highlighting that this online content negatively impacts the mental health of young people. Chappaz described the videos promoting extreme thinness as “outrageous and absolutely unacceptable.”
French authorities believe that social media platforms must take responsibility for the harmful effects of such trends. Arcom has confirmed it is investigating #SkinnyTok as a public health risk. Additionally, the French Parliament has established a special committee to analyze TikTok’s psychological effects on children and teenagers, as reported by The Guardian.
Under the Digital Services Act, platforms like TikTok are required to protect minors and limit exposure to dangerous content. France also has legislation from 2015 that penalizes the promotion of anorexia. In response to these concerns, TikTok has deleted several posts associated with the #SkinnyTok tag and implemented warnings for vulnerable users. However, French authorities deem these measures insufficient and continue to demand stronger interventions to safeguard adolescent mental health.
Experts like Charlyne Buigues emphasize the devastating effects of such trends, pointing out that they promote restrictive diets and unrealistic body standards. In France, over 40,000 individuals suffer from anorexia, with the majority being adolescents. The #SkinnyTok phenomenon poses a risk of exacerbating this public health crisis.
Through its actions against #SkinnyTok, the French government aims to establish new standards for protecting young people in the age of social media.
