The Illusion of Inclusivity: TikTok's Algorithm and Body Positivity

This chapter explores TikTok's impact on cultural views of beauty and diversity, contrasting aspirational content with real body positivity representation. It delves into the platform's controversial policies regarding user visibility and examines the authenticity of its commitment to inclusivity for all body types.

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TW: This episode contains discussions about body image, weight loss, disordered and restrictive eating, self harm and other topics that listeners may consider traumatic.

In this week's episode, I explore how TikTok's algorithm and early platform priorities primed the app to overtly counter the body positivity movement and why some believe that Gen Z's favourite app has become as toxic as 2000s Tumblr.

Timestamps:

4:00 A brief history of body positivity content online: An illusion of inclusivity

7:10 How TikTok shattered this illusion

8:25 TikTok’s algorithmic bias feedback loop

14:00 Sienna Mae Gomez as one of TikTok’s first body positivity creators

15:45 How Tumblr glamourised self-harm, EDs, and mental illness in girls and young women

21:36 Comparing 2000s Tumblr and TikTok today

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