Video-sharing platform TikTok is facing scrutiny as a recent report reveals a concerning trend. Young TikTok users in the UK have been exposed to content promoting illegal bodybuilding drugs, resulting in a staggering 89 million views.
The report "TikTok's Toxic Trade," compiled by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), tackles the rise of toxic content aimed at young men and the dangerous promotion of bodybuilding drugs on the platform.
Young Men Urged to Take Bodybuilding Drugs on TikTok
With teens now getting all the freedom and access to social media, parents can't supervise them all the time. They do not know if what they're consuming online can harm them.
@bennythelifter want to max out the dumbbells? link in bio #strength #enhance #gymtok #trentwins #rad140 #mk677 #lgd4033 ♬ original sound - bennythelifter
The Guardian reports that on TikTok, young men are encouraged to have unrealistic and potentially harmful physiques. The influence of toxic masculinity looms large, impacting the self-esteem of boys and men.
Aside from the health issues, this trend raises significant concerns about the mental well-being of these individuals.
Alarming Statistics in the UK About Drug Promotions
Through the use of TikTok's own tools, the CCDH research uncovered alarming statistics in the UK. Over the past three years, users of all ages have viewed content linked to hashtags endorsing steroids and similar drugs nearly 117 million times.
Shockingly, of these views, 89 million originated from users aged 18 to 24. In the US, these videos received 587 million views from users of all ages within the same three-year timeframe, with 420 million of those views coming from users aged 18 to 24.
The CDH research focused on videos promoting dangerous and illegal drugs targeting teenage boys and young men. The content was often associated with the sale of three classes of substances: anabolic-androgenic steroids, peptides, and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs).
Disturbingly, videos promoting these drugs frequently downplayed potential risks and even encouraged viewers to dismiss concerns by passing them off as harmless "vitamins."
Influencers and the Drug Trade
The report highlighted that websites are collaborating with TikTok influencers to sell steroid-like drugs. For instance, a UK-based company promoted SARMs drug that, is illegal to sell in the UK and can lead to serious health issues.
Influencers participating in promoting steroids and drugs through partnerships boast a combined following of 1.8 million users and can earn commissions of up to 30% of sales.
Contradiction with TikTok Guidelines
Despite TikTok's community guidelines prohibiting content related to recreational drug use, drug trade, or young people in possession of drugs, such content continues to proliferate on the platform.
Recent reports suggest that drug purchases via social media are becoming increasingly accessible, with codewords employed to evade video takedowns.
To protect teens from seeing this content on the platform, the CCDH is advocating for TikTok to enforce its community standards and offer transparency regarding access to data on the viewership of harmful content by users under 18.
The Daily Beast reports that back in 2018, an 18-year-old Irish teen died after consuming Stanozolol during a school sports competition. While this anabolic steroid boosts a person's performance, it can have side effects such as fertility loss, enlarged hearts, and, in the worst cases, death.
"TikTok's algorithm is incredibly addictive and dangerous, they need to be cautious about what content they are serving as recommended content to young people." Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said.
