The Algorithms Are Radicalizing Our Kids to Hate their Bodies & Fear Food - The Diet Culture Pipeline Parents NEED to Know About

In today’s episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, we explore how diet culture has evolved in the age of social media, algorithms, and AI. We unpack how online platforms are amplifying harmful body ideals, why children and teens are especially vulnerable to algorithm-driven content, and what parents can do to help build digital resilience. If you're concerned about the growing impact of social media on young people's relationships with food, body image, and mental health, this episode is for you.

Here’s a run down of what we discussed in today’s episode:

1. How Social Media Supercharged Diet Culture

2. SkinnyTok, Looksmaxxing & Online Extremism

3. How Algorithms Groom Kids Into Harmful Content

4. Why AI Is Making Body Image Worse

5. Why Kids Are So Vulnerable Online

6. The Loneliness Pipeline to Eating Disorders

7. How AI Is Replacing Real Relationships

8. Should Parents Delay Smartphones & Social Media?

9. How to Build Kids' Digital Resilience

10. What Every Parent Can Do Today

References:

• https://cetas.turing.ac.uk/publications/looksmaxxing-mass-shootings-radicalisation-and-online-misogyny

• https://www.wsj.com/tech/how-tiktok-inundates-teens-with-eating-disorder-videos-11639754848

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3621648/#sec1

• https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/279

• https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11316

• https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-64053-7_6

• https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/29/5/zmae017/7750016

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4792511/

Resources:

• https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ah26ZP1ERrO51tJIhF3Uw?si=ebce9cb296824f32&nd=1&dlsi=ea2ec1274eea4279

• https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/coaching/

Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is never a substitute for medical advice. If you’re struggling with with your mental or physical health, please work one on one with a health care provider.

If you have heard yourself in our discussion today, and are looking for support, contact the free NEDIC helpline at 1-866-NEDIC-20 or go to eatingdisorderhope.com.