
Last Updated on August 1, 2024 | Published: July 30, 2024 published by Jenny Tomei
The Hidden Language of Hashtags
The use of hashtags on social media platforms aid in attracting attention from accounts that would be interested in the content that the accounts using the hashtags produce.Accounts on social media are using coded hashtags to avoid their content being moderated. There are a wide range of hashtags being used on various platforms to promote disordered eating. These platforms include twitter/x, instagram and tiktok. We have avoided mentioning these hashtags in order to prevent the spread of this damaging content.
Understanding coded hashtags
Although the hashtags were initially established to provide support to those who were struggling with body image related issues and eating disorders, there are a number who use them to provide unhealthy weight loss information and tips.
Risks of coded hashtags
There is currently a concern at the volume of content promoting the “thin ideal” on social media especially with those suffering with body image related issues.
When someone is dealing with an eating disorder, they often see things in a very all-or-nothing way. This mindset is part of the disorder, causing them to latch onto any content that reinforces the beliefs and values associated with it. Even though efforts have been made by many social media platforms to block and remove any harmful or triggering hashtags and messages, people online have made an effort to slightly alter the letters to avoid breaking community guidelines.
People have reported content that they view as triggering or harmful to the wellbeing of themselves and others and the social media platforms are reporting back to them saying that the content does not violate any policy due to the content being hidden within the video and not being presented at the forefront.
What content is being accessed?
This type of content that promotes unhealthy methods of weight loss with no filters or warnings from these platforms has become extremely accessible to people who may be vulnerable to the content included. Social media failing to acknowledge and react to the sharing of this content across their platforms could cause a devastating effect on adolescent and vulnerable social media users, especially those who have experienced disordered eating. The Department of Health have previously stated that significant measurements have been enforced in the past few years to develop a coordinated government position on online safety and regulation, most importantly through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.
(The social media site, Tiktok, has said that their platform allows users to share messages of hope and encouragement as well as stories of people overcoming their own struggles with disordered eating. However, they have also stated that their own community guidelines do not tolerate “showing or promoting disordered eating content”. They have also said that they are continuously reviewing the content on their app that include key words or hashtags that are associated with disordered eating and remove all videos that violate their policy. Tiktok said that they conducted search interventions so that when someone searches for words or phrases that may be considered as triggering, they will be redirected to different support resources that will be accessible for them.

Impact of coded hashtags on users
The use of coded hashtags on social media can expose young people to triggering and damaging content through its hidden meanings. This can be extremely devastating for young people who may be vulnerable to certain content. These coded hashtags have given some young people a way to discreetly discuss and view these harmful posts without immediately providing them with a resource for assistance. If you’re concerned about your child download one of our toolkits for more information here: https://jenup-3tl5dym9ok.live-website.com/contact-and-ordering/
Efforts to combat coded hashtags
Growing awareness of these coded hashtags could allow parents to have more knowledge of their child’s consumption of different media online. It is important as a parent to be vigilant of the variety of content that a child may be accessing and to provide them with any support that is necessary in a non confrontational and non judgmental way. The moment someone comes across a piece of content that could be seen as triggering the best thing to do is report it, not only does this reduce your chances of seeing similar posts, advertisements or stories around the topic. It is important that people can feel safe on social media platforms and utilise it effectively as an outlet to express themselves and feel a sense of community within these platforms. Social media should provide an opportunity for people to communicate with other, stay informed and up to date with things that are taking place all over the world.
How do hashtags work?
Hashtags are commonly used within the context of social media platforms or other similar apps. Hags help people in finding a target audience smoothly, they help to categorize the content made and help to make it more easily accessible and discoverable for users on these platforms. Hashtags are a way for users to easily find content related to their own personal interests and different kinds of events, specific topics or discussions. Using hashtags is simple and easy to do, there is no specific software that is required to be downloaded or coding experience necessary. All someone needs to do in order to use a hashtag is to use the hashtag symbol (#) before any word or phrase you wanting to be used within the hashtag and ensure that there are no spaces, punctuation or special characters used. By doing this, the hashtag will be easily findable by users with common interests. Through using a hashtag in a post, there are higher chances of it becoming more searchable and available to others.
Research Links/ Other Articles
https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-023-00827-7