Episode Details
Back to EpisodesAustralian teenagers access online anorexia 'coaches' despite social media ban
Published 1 week ago
Description
A warning, this next story contains reference to eating disorders and self-harm.
Australia may have a social media ban in place to protect children under the age of 16, but that hasn't stopped young people finding back doors, alternative platforms and other online communities which promote harmful content - particularly around eating disorders.
Australian teenagers as young as 13 are accessing so-called 'anorexia coaches' online, sharing pictures of their alarmingly thin bodies in social media forums.
If this conversation has raised any issues for you, free and confidential help is available. You can speak to the Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline on 1800 334 673, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- GUESTS: Associate Professor Andrea Phillipou, Principal Research Fellow in Eating Disorders at Orygen + Varsha Yajman, mental health youth advocate with lived experience of eating disorders
- PRODUCER: Brooke Young