Introduction
Social media platforms have been a breeding ground for various issues, including the promotion of unhealthy and potentially life-threatening content. A recent report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) highlights the alarming rise of steroid content on TikTok, which is not only promoting unattainable body image ideals but also pushing users towards using potentially dangerous and often illegal substances.
The Prevalence of Steroid Content on TikTok
Researchers at CCDH found that videos tagged with hashtags promoting the use of steroid-like drugs have garnered over 580 million views among U.S. users in the last three years, with the majority of these views coming from young men between the ages of 18 and 24. This is a staggering number, considering the potential risks associated with the use of such substances.
The Risks Associated with Steroid Use
The CCDH groups the substances in question together under the umbrella of ‘steroid-like drugs’ rather than calling them ‘performance-enhancing drugs’, as this term can be misleading given the health risks associated with their use. Drugs examined in the report include anabolic-androgenic steroids, peptides, and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).
According to the FDA, these substances are potentially life-threatening, particularly when used by teenagers and young adults. The agency has issued warnings about the impact of social media influencers on the use of steroid-like drugs among teens.
How Social Media Influencers Are Promoting Steroid Use
The CCDH report reveals that vendors selling these drugs increasingly rely on social media influencers to promote their products through affiliate marketing. The researchers found 35 influencers on TikTok with ties to websites that sell illegal steroid-like drugs, who together command a following of 1.8 million users.
These influencers use various tactics to promote the substances, including creating educational content highlighting the supposed benefits of steroid-like drugs while downplaying or ignoring their health risks. Some even go so far as to target underage users directly with captions like ‘teenagers lied about their age just to fight in WW2 but you are too scared to take S4RMs [SARMs]’.
The Loophole That Allows Vendors to Sell Steroid-Like Drugs
While the vendors selling these drugs generally don’t target underage users directly, they do leverage a loophole that allows them to sell steroid-like drugs as ‘research chemicals’ that aren’t approved by regulatory agencies. This loophole might not fool the FDA, which has written warning letters to companies selling SARMs and issued fines.
The Need for Better Content Moderation on TikTok
The CCDH report highlights the need for better content moderation on TikTok, particularly when it comes to underage users. The platform needs to be more transparent about how many children and teenagers are exposed to steroid content through its algorithms.
TikTok has faced criticism in the past for not doing enough to protect minors from explicit or unhealthy content. This report serves as a reminder that social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure that their users, particularly children and teenagers, are safe and protected from harm.
Conclusion
The rise of steroid content on TikTok is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Social media influencers play a significant role in promoting the use of these substances, often with devastating consequences for young people. The platform must do more to prevent underage users from accessing harmful content and ensure that its algorithms are not perpetuating this problem.
Ultimately, it’s up to social media platforms like TikTok to take responsibility for their users’ safety and well-being. By working together with experts and regulators, we can create a safer online environment for everyone.
Recommendations
- Social media platforms must implement stricter content moderation policies to prevent underage users from accessing harmful content.
- Influencers who promote the use of steroid-like drugs should be held accountable for their actions.
- Regulatory agencies should work together with social media platforms to crack down on the sale and promotion of steroid-like drugs online.
- Educational campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about the risks associated with steroid use.
By working together, we can create a safer and healthier online environment for everyone.
