A recent report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has shed light on a growing concern regarding steroid content on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The research highlights how videos promoting potentially dangerous and often illegal substances are accumulating millions of views among young men between 18 and 24 years old.
The Alarming Statistics
According to the CCDH report, videos tagged with hashtags related to the use of steroid-like drugs have garnered over 580 million views among U.S. users in the last three years. The majority of these views come from young men aged 18-24, indicating a significant exposure to potentially damaging content.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
While concerns about body image and eating disorders often focus on young women and girls, the CCDH report emphasizes that "young boys and men are also being exposed to potentially damaging and dangerous content online." The group’s CEO, Imran Ahmed, notes, "A growing – and chronically understudied – crisis is being fomented among young boys and men, wrapped in toxic ideas of masculinity, strength, and misogyny, and amplified by unaccountable algorithms."
Steroid-Like Drugs: A Misleading Term
The CCDH groups substances like anabolic-androgenic steroids, peptides, and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) together under the umbrella term "steroid-like drugs." This classification is deliberate, as the term "performance-enhancing drugs" can be misleading, given the associated health risks.
The FDA’s Warning
In April 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the use of steroid-like drugs among teens and young adults. The agency cited social media influencers as a contributing factor to the rise in adverse event reports linked to SARMs, specifically increased heart attack risk, infertility, and psychosis.
The Loophole
While anabolic-androgenic steroids require a prescription in the U.S., peptides and SARMs are illegal when sold as dietary supplements. However, vendors often sell these substances as "research chemicals" not approved by regulatory agencies or intended for human consumption. This loophole has been exploited to promote potentially hazardous products.
Social Media Influencers: The Silent Partners
The CCDH report reveals that social media influencers on TikTok are increasingly relying on affiliate marketing to promote steroid-like drugs. Researchers identified 35 influencers with ties to websites selling these substances, commanding a combined following of 1.3 million users. These influencers often use persuasive language and visuals to encourage their audience to try these products.
TikTok’s Response
The platform has faced criticism for its ineffective content moderation policies, particularly regarding teen time limits. In response to the CCDH report, TikTok questioned on its ability to regulate exposure to potentially damaging content among minors.
Conclusion
The rise of steroid content on social media platforms like TikTok highlights a pressing concern that demands attention from policymakers and platform administrators. As Imran Ahmed emphasized, "TikTok needs to be much more transparent about how many children and teenagers are routinely exposed to this content through the platform’s algorithms."
Recommendations
- Enhanced Content Moderation: Social media platforms must implement robust content moderation policies to prevent the spread of potentially damaging content.
- Transparency: Platforms should provide clear information on their content moderation practices, including metrics on exposure to harmful content among minors.
- Education and Awareness: Users, particularly young men, need to be educated about the risks associated with steroid-like drugs and the importance of seeking professional advice before using any performance-enhancing substances.
The Future
As social media continues to play a significant role in shaping our lives, it is crucial that we address concerns like steroid content on these platforms. By working together, policymakers, platform administrators, and users can create a safer online environment for everyone.
