Instagram algorithms are pushing teens, even those with very little involvement with fitness-related images, toward a wealth of information on weight loss, according to new research that aimed to create the experience of being a teenager on social media.
The research was conducted by Revealing Reality and was commissioned by the 5Rights Foundation, which campaigns for stronger online controls for children.
The researchers created several Instagram profiles that showed the lives of several real children and followed the same accounts as the volunteer teenagers. They then liked some posts and very quickly, the algorithm made "explore" (where photos and videos of other Instagram accounts are suggested) present potentially harmful information about the body image.
An account created on behalf of a 17-year-old girl liked a single post from a sportswear brand about the diet that appeared on explore. She then followed an account that was suggested where a photo was posted "before and after losing weight".
These two actions were enough to radically change the suggested material for the fake teenage girl on Instagram. The researchers noted that the platform displayed significant content for weight loss and foods.
In addition, the researchers noted that teens were offered a considerable amount of pornographic content, content about suicide and self-harm, all within 24 hours of creating an account.
Instagram knew all accounts were registered by teenagers.
A Facebook spokesperson, who owns Instagram, said more aggressive steps are already being taken to keep teens safe on the social network, including preventing adults from texting them if teens do not follow them.
Sources: Guardian, Times
