Belgium Alerts EU to TikTok's Harmful Thinness-Promotion Content
Belgium formally alerted the European Commission in April 2025 that TikTok's algorithm promotes harmful thinness-focused content to young people via hashtags like 'Skinnytok', with videos allegedly inciting eating disorders. The Belgian government said existing content moderation measures are insufficient and asked regulators to enforce EU user protection rules under the Digital Services Act.
What happened
Belgium's Minister of Digital Affairs Vanessa Matz alerted the European Commission on 30 April 2025 about the prevalence of weight-loss and thinness-promotion content on TikTok under hashtags such as 'Skinny' and 'Skinnytok'. The minister stated that TikTok's algorithm traps young people in cycles of extreme content, constituting a major danger to their mental and physical health.
Videos under these hashtags, primarily featuring young women, contained weight-loss advice and remarks associating beauty with visible bone contours, and remain visible by hundreds of thousands on the platform despite warning banners. Belgium's telecommunications regulator IBPT was tasked with forwarding the government's complaints to the European Commission and the Irish regulator, who coordinates oversight of digital platforms in Europe.
Reported impact
The content is accused of inciting eating disorders. In Belgium, 15% of women aged 10 to 64 show signs of suspected eating disorders, and 11% of men, according to the Sciensano public health institute.
Index analysis
Belgium cited the approach of summer as a sensitive period for self-esteem among young people, prompting the government's intervention. The government deemed TikTok's existing measures insufficient to address the danger to adolescents.
Belgium followed other EU countries, including France, in demanding stronger enforcement of European user protection rules under the Digital Services Act, which entered full force in February 2024 and subjects platforms to penalties for non-compliance. The European Commission had opened an investigation into TikTok in February 2024 over alleged failures in minor protection.
Governance controls
TikTok responded that it combats weight-loss and dangerous behaviors on its platform and provides resources for well-being and connections to experts within its application.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.