In this podcast episode, we’re exploring how social media amplifies eating disorders, body dysmorphia and unhealthy relationships with food, fitness and self-worth. From the rise of the looksmaxxing movement and hyper-curated beauty standards to toxic fitness culture, orthorexia disguised as ‘clean eating’ and the deeply disturbing persistence of pro-anorexia communities online, we’re uncovering how digital platforms influence the way you see your body and your value as a human being.

We’re discussing how algorithms reward extreme transformation content, why eating disorders increasingly affect men and boys, how influencers monetize insecurity, and why socially praised behaviors can quietly evolve into harmful obsessions.

Furthermore, we’re examining the psychological mechanisms behind comparison culture, validation-seeking and identity formation in the age of social media.

This podcast episode is not about demonizing health, fitness, beauty or ambition. It is about understanding where self-improvement ends and self-destruction begins.

Most importantly, we’re learning how to protect ourselves and support loved ones who may silently struggle with disordered eating behaviors in a culture that frequently rewards them.

If you have an opinion on this topic or if you would like to share your personal experience, you can e-mail me at coucou.goddess@gmail.com.

Your story, perspective and voice matter deeply to our Goddess of Technology community.

REFERENCES

• American Psychiatric Association (2022) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th edn, text revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

• Eating Disorder Hope (2026) ‘Eating Disorder Models’. Available at: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/eating-disorder-models (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).

• Eating Disorder Hope (2026) ‘Male Body Builders and Disordered Eating’. Available at: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/men/male-body-builders-and-disordered-eating (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).

• Eating Disorder Hope (2026) ‘Men and Eating Disorders’. Available at: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/men (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).

• Montenido (2026) ‘How Social Media Can Trigger Disordered Eating Behaviors’. Available at: https://www.montenido.com/blog/social-media-trigger-disordered-eating-behaviors (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).

• Perloff, R.M. (2014) ‘Social Media Effects on Young Women’s Body Image Concerns: Theoretical Perspectives and an Agenda for Research’, Sex Roles, 71(11–12), pp. 363–377.

• Rodgers, R.F. and Melioli, T. (2016) ‘The Relationship Between Body Image Concerns, Eating Disorders and Internet Use’, Clinical Psychology Review, 44, pp. 101–112.

• Springer (2024) ‘Social Media and Eating Disorder Symptoms’. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-024-00992-3 (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).

• Tiggemann, M. and Slater, A. (2013) ‘NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and Body Image Concern in Adolescent Girls’, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(6), pp. 630–633.

• Elsevier ScienceDirect (2023) ‘Social Media Exposure and Eating Disorder Risk’. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471015323000223 (Accessed: May 25th, 2026).