Instagram Has A New Policy Against Weight Loss Promotions
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Instagram's New Rule Restricting Weight Loss Product Promotions Won't Stop The Problem

Because young girls know they don't need Instagram to learn all about Flat Tummy Teas...

36
Instagram's New Rule Restricting Weight Loss Product Promotions Won't Stop The Problem

Let me preface with this — Instagram's new rule prohibiting the promotion of weight loss products to anyone under 18 years of age is 100 percent good in its intention and a step in the right direction for sure. In fact, it's a huge move amongst social media platforms and deserves positive recognition.

With that being said, I think it's important to point out and remind everyone that not letting Khloe Kardashian post herself drinking Flat Tummy Tea isn't going to stop young women on Instagram from figuring out the newest (and unhealthiest) ways to lose weight.

Again, while Instagram's effort to put an end to the promotion of these unhealthy, and many times dangerous, products, it's going to take a lot more than that to instill real mental and physical wellness into the hearts and minds of the target audience for harmful diet products.

Let's start with the root of the problem: young girls all over the world are being told how they should look and what they need to do to achieve the "ideal" body.

In today's social media culture where people are editing themselves more than ever before and presenting various "miracle claims" about the products they use, girls are attempting to shadow exactly what their favorite celebrities and influencers are promoting in hopes of obtaining the same results (even though those "results" are usually edited photos). Instagram Public Policy Manager Emma Collins says that the Instagram community "has been thinking a lot about the relative pressure to look or behave a certain way and what that might mean for people using Instagram." It's important to note that Instagram's executives are definitely aware of the role social media plays in diet culture.

Will this stop young girls from finding the appetite-suppressing lollipops that Kim Kardashian has been promoting? Probably not.

Our society holds the female body to such a standard that young women will go above and beyond simple Instagram ads to find the "quickest" ways to burn fat. Instead of banning the promotion of these products, there needs to be an influx of influencers, like Jameela Jamil, who speak out against these negative behaviors. A mindset of true health and body positivity needs to be instilled in our generation and the younger generations that have and will continue to fall into this trap.

How do we instill mindsets? In this day and age, it's mostly through online influencing. Ironic, huh? The same mechanism that's leading our youth into taking part in such negative behaviors is the same one that can inspire them to think and act differently.

Here's the catch — everyone with a platform needs to recognize the problem and do what they can to fix it and speak out against it. They have to be responsible for the audience that they have. It's not that these same influencers need to promote products that aren't detrimental to one's body instead, but they need to promote the mindsets and ideologies that fight against those encouraging rapid weight loss and crash diets, exactly like Jameela Jamil is doing with her "I Weigh" movement.

Anyone with a platform has the ability to lead by example. Instagram is doing this by creating the new policy, but those who have made this policy necessary are the same people who have the power to make a positive change in the world of body image. In today's society, when an ideal "social norm" is skipping multiple meals a week, it's important that we acknowledge the importance of this new policy, but not rely on it to make a change because I guarantee that it won't put an end to these fads.

So, let's support Instagram's intention and work to instill a new mindset of proper wellness in young women all over the world.

Report this Content
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

14199
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

944550
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121728
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments