Safe spaces or toxic places? Content moderation and social dynamics of online eating disorder communities - EPJ Data Science Social media platforms have become critical spaces for discussing mental health concerns, including eating disorders. While these platforms can provide valuable support networks, they may also amplify harmful content that glorifies disordered cognition and self-destructive behaviors. While social media platforms have implemented various content moderation strategies, from stringent to laissez-faire approaches, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how these different moderation practices interact with user engagement in online communities around these sensitive mental health topics. This study addresses this knowledge gap through a comparative analysis of eating disorder discussions across Twitter/X (2.6M tweets), Reddit (178K submissions), and TikTok (14K videos) spanning from 2019-2023. Our findings reveal that while users across all platforms engage similarly in expressing concerns and seeking support, platforms with weaker moderation (like Twitter/X) enable the formation of toxic echo chambers that amplify pro-anorexia rhetoric. These results demonstrate how moderation strategies significantly influence the development and impact of online communities, particularly in contexts involving mental health and self-harm.

This #OpenAccess study from 'EPJ Data Science' examines how content moderation shapes social dynamics in online eating disorder communities across Twitter/X, Reddit, and TikTok. bit.ly/4p2rX8O @kristinalerman.bsky.social #ICFeed #MentalHealth #CompSocSci

Wellesley Centers for Women. IN THE NEWS. “The APA also offered "Four ways parents can help teens use Al safely". Among them, Charmaraman noted that when teens seek health information online, which data show they frequently do, Al can produce inaccurate information that seems authoritative. This polished presentation can make false or controversial health information particularly convincing, potentially leading to impulsive decisions or delayed treatment." AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Read about Linda's contributions and access the full report here: www.wcwonline.org/2025/wcw-con...

@apajournals.bsky.social #scipub #cogpsyc #devpsy #pedsky #icfeed #ai #womeninstem

Wellesley Centers for Women. IN THE NEWS. WCW Contributes to Health Advisory on Al and Adolescent Wellbeing. Wellesley Centers for Women. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

Senior Research Scientist Linda Charmaraman served as a member of the American Psychological Association's expert advisory panel for its recent health advisory, which called for guardrails + education to protect young AI users!
@apajournals.bsky.social #scipub #cogpsyc #devpsy #pedsky #icfeed #ai

It's Their World Pre-Order Links - Spark & Stitch Institute Pre-order Erin Walsh's new book, It's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence

Buy the book here!

sparkandstitchinstitute.com/books/its-th...

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"Erin Walsh joyfully explains the science behind how social technologies impact children and families, intermixing accessible expert perspectives with down-to-earth guidance, thought exercises, and activities to try with your own kids." -Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women, founder and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab at Wellesley College, co-author of the 2023/2024 American Psychological Association's health advisory on social media use in adolescence. It's Their WORLD: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence by Erin Walsh. free spirit PUBLISHING® An Imprint of Teacher Created Materials.

Senior Research Scientist Linda Charmaraman is quoted in "It's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence", Erin Walsh's new book about supporting youth growing up in the digital age! Read Linda's commentary on the book below.
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