How do we avoid triggering content on TikTok? 

Just because content can be triggering for those with body image issues or eating disorders doesn't mean TikTok should be deleted altogether from their lives. So how do we manage the triggering content? 

This information was found on renfrewcenter.com 

Curate Your Feed

Unfollow triggering accounts. Triggering accounts can look like "what I eat in a day" videos, workout videos, body check videos, and anything that doesn't make you feel particularly good about yourself. Even if these videos are showing "healthy habits" or recovery content. I have unfollowed many people simply because I would compare myself to them, and it didn't make me feel my best.

Turn Off Suggested Accounts

If you follow your friends on TikTok and they follow triggering accounts, or like triggering content it is more likely for it to show up in your "suggested accounts" or your "For You Page." To avoid these accounts and videos to show up on your feed, you can go into your settings, and turn off suggested accounts. 

Don't Be Scared Of Using The Uninterested Feature 

If you see a triggering video you can always click the three dots on the bottom right and press on "uninterested." This will help the algorithm realize you don't want to see those types of videos. I personally use this feature often. 

Remember TikTok Can Be A Highlight Reel

Not everything you see on social media is real. Filters exist, posing exists, lighting exists, etc. People aren't likely to post the unflattering videos. It's important to take all of this into consideration before you begin to compare and feel bad about yourself. There are some people I follow on TikTok who do show the unflattering pictures, and it actually really helps me to see the reality of how much lighting and posing can change the appearance of someone in a video. 

Set A Time Limit

It's easy to just scroll for hours on TikTok, so setting a time limit could be very beneficial to avoid the amount of triggering content you might see. It also makes sure the algorithm doesn't have enough time to show you more and more intense content. I have a 2 hour time limit per day for my Instagram and TikTok! 

Make Your Interests Diverse

If you struggle with body image it's very helpful for your mental health if you get involved in some content that has nothing to do with food, health, and how bodies look. Interacting with videos that are funny, about makeup, about animals, or even art can really help you to have some control over the algorithm and which videos show up on your feed. 

It's important to understand that if Tiktok is truly a triggering space for you, you are allowed to and encouraged to delete the app altogether.

"A woman who struggled with anorexia said she had to delete TikTok to protect her health after "skinnytok" flooded her feed with "damaging" weight loss advice.

If you have not heard of it, "skinnytok" is a controversial side of social media where people promote weight loss tips focused on restrictive eating with the aim of being "skinny".

TikTok recently blocked the search for the term but Eve Jones, 23, from Cardiff, said, despite it being a step in the right direction, it "scratches the surface" on a larger issue - which people can find a way around." Charlie Buckland from BBC news explains.