NEW YORK POST
TikTok has cracked down on a “toxic” new trend after mass backlash from users over its perpetuation of unrealistic and damaging body standards.
Hashtagged “legging legs,” it consists of young girls declaring they don’t have legs that look “good” in a pair of athletic tights.
The trend, which first became popular late last year, perpetuates the idea that one singular body type and look is ideal – misinforming and potentially harming impressionable and vulnerable young minds.
Multiple publications overseas report the social media platform has now banned the hashtag, so that users who attempt to find videos of it are now shown information about disordered eating instead
A TikTok Australia spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au that “when people search for #legginglegs or content related to eating disorders, they are shown a pop-up with a link to the Butterfly Foundation”.
“TikTok is an inclusive and body-positive environment and we do not allow content that depicts, promotes, normalizes or glorifies eating disorders.”
Older women, recognizing “legging legs” as the repackaging of toxic body image ideals from their own youth, have condemned the trend, with therapist Holly Essler calling it “repulsing.”
“Basically it’s a trend saying that if you have leggings and you wear leggings, your legs have to look a certain way in them,” she said in a video.
“Again, this is disgusting. Do not let social media tell your body that it is a trend. If you have a body and you have leggings, you have legging legs.”
Another TikTok user, @emilyxpearl, questioned in a video if “we understand what we are doing to the younger generation of women”.
