Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability

Dawn Branley-Bell; Claire Murphy-Morgan; Libby Moore

doi:10.3389/978-2-8325-8024-0

Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability

Dawn Branley-Bell^*, Claire Murphy-Morgan, Libby Moore

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Psychology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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Abstract

Social media platforms, such as TikTok, represent a significant and rapidly evolving frontier for public health. With billions of users globally, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm curates personalised feeds that can expose individuals to a spectrum of body image content - from body acceptance material to content promoting extreme thinness, fitness ideals, and pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) messaging. This study investigates the extent and nature of algorithmic exposure to body image content on TikTok, its psychological impacts, and the coping strategies users employ, aiming to identify actionable implications for digital public health interventions, platform accountability, and policy.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026
Editors	P. Kostkova, A. Bosman, I. Pencheva
Publisher	Frontiers
Pages	208-213
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9782832580240
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-8325-8024-0
Publication status	Published - 24 Jun 2026
Event	11th Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026 - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 24 Jun 2026 → 26 Jun 2026 https://dphconf.org/

Conference

Conference	11th Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026
Abbreviated title	DHP2026
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	24/06/26 → 26/06/26
Internet address	https://dphconf.org/

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9782832580240 (1)Final published version, 893 KBLicence: CC BY

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Branley-Bell, D., Murphy-Morgan, C., & Moore, L. (2026). Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability. In P. Kostkova, A. Bosman, & I. Pencheva (Eds.), 11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026 (pp. 208-213). Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-8325-8024-0

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title = "Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability",

abstract = "Social media platforms, such as TikTok, represent a significant and rapidly evolving frontier for public health. With billions of users globally, TikTok{\textquoteright}s recommendation algorithm curates personalised feeds that can expose individuals to a spectrum of body image content - from body acceptance material to content promoting extreme thinness, fitness ideals, and pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) messaging. This study investigates the extent and nature of algorithmic exposure to body image content on TikTok, its psychological impacts, and the coping strategies users employ, aiming to identify actionable implications for digital public health interventions, platform accountability, and policy.",

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booktitle = "11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026",

publisher = "Frontiers",

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note = "11th Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026, DHP2026 ; Conference date: 24-06-2026 Through 26-06-2026",

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Branley-Bell, D , Murphy-Morgan, C & Moore, L 2026, Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability. in P Kostkova, A Bosman & I Pencheva (eds), 11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026. Frontiers, pp. 208-213, 11th Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026, Barcelona, Spain, 24/06/26. https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-8325-8024-0

Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability. / Branley-Bell, Dawn ; Murphy-Morgan, Claire; Moore, Libby.
11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH) 2026. ed. / P. Kostkova; A. Bosman; I. Pencheva. Frontiers, 2026. p. 208-213.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AU - Murphy-Morgan, Claire

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PY - 2026/6/24

Y1 - 2026/6/24

N2 - Social media platforms, such as TikTok, represent a significant and rapidly evolving frontier for public health. With billions of users globally, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm curates personalised feeds that can expose individuals to a spectrum of body image content - from body acceptance material to content promoting extreme thinness, fitness ideals, and pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) messaging. This study investigates the extent and nature of algorithmic exposure to body image content on TikTok, its psychological impacts, and the coping strategies users employ, aiming to identify actionable implications for digital public health interventions, platform accountability, and policy.

AB - Social media platforms, such as TikTok, represent a significant and rapidly evolving frontier for public health. With billions of users globally, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm curates personalised feeds that can expose individuals to a spectrum of body image content - from body acceptance material to content promoting extreme thinness, fitness ideals, and pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) messaging. This study investigates the extent and nature of algorithmic exposure to body image content on TikTok, its psychological impacts, and the coping strategies users employ, aiming to identify actionable implications for digital public health interventions, platform accountability, and policy.

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DO - 10.3389/978-2-8325-8024-0

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ER -

Algorithmic Exposure to Body Image Content on TikTok: A Mixed-Methods International Study with Implications for Mental Health and Platform Accountability

Abstract

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