Three of the most popular social media apps announced a collaboration with the National Eating Disorders Association of the United States. This collaboration will promote content and information on this topic in the different sections of the apps.
The National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 22 to 28) was driven by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). The objective was to inform about this type of disorder and to educate the population, especially the younger ones, about the need to seek professional help and attention.
Social media is part of the daily lives of many young people not only in the United States but around the world, which is why the NEDA agreed a collaboration with Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, three of the five social platforms with the most active monthly users.
Instagram announced the creation of a resource center with information related to eating disorders. Such information appears when users make searches for terms related to eating disorders. “These new resources will include contacts for local eating disorders hotlines in certain countries, such as Beat in the UK, National Eating Disorder Information Centre in Canada and Butterfly Foundation in Australia, as well as new advice on how to build body confidence that we built in partnership with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in the US”.
Likewise, the content is displayed when users are about to share content related to these terms. Instagram later plans to add an option to send these tools through direct messages.
Pinterest launched a series of content designed to raise awareness about eating disorders and provide educational and professional support information. In this interactive content, Pinterest intends to encourage users to share their experiences. Additionally, the social network offered free advertising space to NEDA's campaigns and events.
Finally, TikTok, added consultation tools that include tips and guides to help people struggling with their body perception. “Starting this week, when a user searches for #edrecovery #proana or other phrases related to eating disorders, we'll provide access to the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline where they can find help, support, and information about treatment options”, the social media platform explained in a statement.
With this social media campaign, the NEDA seeks to reach out to young people to provide them with the information they need to prevent and treat eating disorders and other problems such as body dissatisfaction.
