TikTok and Eating Disorders: Your Experience 

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Introduction

We would like to hear from people living in the UK who: 
  • Have experienced, are currently experiencing, or suspect they may have an eating disorder, and have used TikTok at any time (currently or in the past). You do not need a formal diagnosis or to have received treatment to take part. 
  • Have personally supported someone with an eating disorder, or been concerned that someone they know may have an eating disorder, and have either used TikTok themselves or observed others using it.
Your responses will be anonymous and will help us to support those affected by eating disorders and inform efforts to reduce online harm. 

The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete, but take as long as you need. There are no right or wrong answers - we want to hear your experiences.   

Some questions may ask about sensitive or distressing topics, including your experiences with online content. Please only take part if you feel comfortable and well enough to do so. Your wellbeing is our priority.

To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not share any personal information, including names or TikTok usernames, in your responses.

The survey will remain open until midnight on 9th June 2025. 

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Data protection 

By submitting answers to questions in this survey, you give consent for your data to be used in line with our privacy statement. 

Direct quotes may be used by Beat with a pseudonym (false name), and we would only include quotes if they did not include any information that might identify you. These quotes may be used in our ongoing work efforts to reduce online harm. If you would prefer for direct quotes not to be used, then there is an opportunity to opt-out of this before completing the survey.  

Support 

You can call the Beat Helpline on 0808 801 0677, or you can get in touch with a Beat advisor via email or webchat. The helpline is open from 3pm– 8pm, Monday to Friday. Beat offers support and information to people with eating disorders, those who support them and professionals. For details of Beat's Helpline and other support services, please click here. 

For crisis support, the Samaritans telephone helpline is open 24/7 at 116 123. You can also text SHOUT on 85258, which is also open 24/7.  

In England, Scotland, and Wales you can call NHS 111 and select Option 2 for 24/7 mental health crisis support. In Northern Ireland you can call Lifeline for free on 0808 808 8000, which is also open 24/7. 





Please remember that you do not have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. You may skip entire sections or select 'Prefer not to say' on specific questions.  

Please select any that you have ever experienced.



Select all that apply
The following question relates to instances of actively searching for eating disorder content on TikTok.

Please remember that you do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable, and that your answers will remain completely anonymous. 


Some of these categories may overlap; please select all that apply.


Select all that apply
How do, or did you search for this content?

Select all that apply

Select all that apply

Select all that apply

The following question relates to your experience on TikTok when you encounter eating disorder content without actively searching for it. 

This includes instances where you may have previously searched for such content and later come across it naturally on the platform. 




Select all that apply.


Select all that apply.

Select all that apply.

Select all that apply.








Select all that apply.

Select all that apply.

If you were actively struggling with an eating disorder and encountered a content warning before a video, how likely would you be to do the following?

Very likely Somewhat likely Unsure Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely

TikTok has a Safety Centre, which is an area on the platform providing information, resources, and tools to help users understand and manage safety, privacy and wellbeing while using TikTok.  


Select all that apply.


How well do you think TikTok handles each of the following aspects related to eating disorder content?
Not well at all Slightly well Moderately well Well Very well Don't know




Many of the questions in this survey relate to your loved one’s use of TikTok. Please remember that you do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable, and that it is ok if you do not know the answer to any questions about your loved one’s use of TikTok. We recognise the secretive nature of eating disorders and ask that you answer the questions to the best of your knowledge.

When we refer to harmful eating disorder content, we are talking about content that discusses, shows, recommends, glamorizes, promotes eating disorders, or asks for/offers help with harmful behaviours associated with eating disorders.


Please select any that they have ever experienced





Select all that apply.


Select all that apply.


Select all that apply.

    How does/did your loved one search for harmful eating disorder content? 

    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.

    The following question relates to your loved one’s experience on TikTok when they encounter, or encountered, eating disorder content without actively searching for it. This includes instances where they may have previously searched for such content and later come across it naturally on the platform. 



    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.







    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.
    If your loved one was actively struggling with an eating disorder and encountered a content warning before a video, how likely do you think they would be to do the following?

    Very likely Somewhat likely Unsure Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely
    TikTok offers ‘Family Pairing’ which intends to support parents, guardians and young people to customise their safety and content settings according to their needs. This includes parents and guardians having the ability to link their TikTok account to their teens to enable a variety of privacy and content settings. 


    Please select all that apply.


    TikTok has a Safety Centre, which is an area on the platform providing information, resources, and tools to help users understand and manage safety, privacy, and wellbeing while using TikTok.



    Select all that apply.

    Select all that apply.


    How well do you think TikTok handles each of the following aspects related to eating disorder content?
    Not well at all Somewhat well Moderately well Well Very well




    Demographics

    We’d like to ask these final questions to help us understand how well we have done in reaching all groups and communities with this survey, and how experiences may vary between them. If answering any of these questions would make you uncomfortable, please select ‘Prefer not to say’.  





    Thank you

    Thank you very much for taking the time to complete our survey. We'd love to keep you updated about our work in the fight against eating disorders and how you can help through fundraising, research, campaigning and volunteering opportunities. If you are interested in staying up to date on similar opportunities then please sign up to our mailing list.  

    Support

    You can contact the Beat Helpline on 0808 801 0677, or via email or webchat. The helpline is open from 3pm– 8pm, Monday to Friday. Beat offers support and information to people with eating disorders, those who support them and professionals. For details of Beat's Helpline and other support services, please click here.  

    For crisis support, the Samaritans telephone helpline is open 24/7 at 116 123. You can also text SHOUT on 85258, which is also open 24/7. 

    In England, Scotland, and Wales you can call NHS 111 and select Option 2 for 24/7 mental health crisis support. In Northern Ireland you can call Lifeline for free on 0808 808 8000, which is also open 24/7. 

    Further information page

    If you wish to learn more about ways to keep safe on TikTok, and the various topics discussed within the survey, please see below: 

    Contact Information