Social networks are the dominant socialization platforms that promote beauty canons and constant content consumption that promotes a culture of dieting, the thin body ideal and vainglory of youth, aspects that can trigger body dissatisfaction and risky eating behaviors (ED). In addition, there is content within these networks that promotes "Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia" behaviors, reaching all corners of the world just by scrolling.
Objective. In this study we explore the social network X (formerly twitter), to identify the type of content young people with ED behaviors share, the hashtags that they use for communication, and to investigate the reach of these posts on other users of the platform.
Methods. We used a qualitative methodology centered in content analysis, to identify posts made on platform X regarding the dissemination of info that promotes ED. Different hashtags were proposed to search for content around the main objective. A group of young researchers first identify the posts and then classify the images according to the categories that emerge from the analysis.
Results. In this study, 38 posts were observed (19 as original content, 18 as reshared content, and 1 as a posted profile) with 38 different hashtags, with #edtwt and #thinspo being the most mentioned. In general, the content mentions topics related to weight, comments that encourage food restriction, thinspiration, self-harm, among others. Regarding interaction with the posts, there is an average of 2,018 likes per post, 65,590 views, 434 reshared posts, 310 saved items, and 72 quotes.
Conclusions. The lack of regulations on the platform "X" allows a high and risky interaction of content that promotes ED. People with ED may use this platform inappropriately, hindering their recovery and encouraging the development of ED in other young people who show body concerns.