TikTok is a popular social media platform where users can create and share short videos on various topics. However, not all trends on TikTok are harmless or fun.
Some of them can be harmful to the mental and physical health of the users, especially the young ones. One such trend is the ‘legging legs’ trend, which has been banned by TikTok for promoting eating disorders and body shaming.
What is the ‘Legging Legs’ Trend?
The ‘legging legs’ trend is a viral challenge that involves women wearing leggings and showing off their thigh gaps.
A thigh gap is the space between the inner thighs when standing upright with the feet together.
The trend implies that having a thigh gap and skinny legs is the ideal way to wear leggings and look attractive.
The trend started when some users posted videos of themselves in yoga pants, flaunting their ‘legging legs’. The hashtag #legginglegs soon became popular, with many other users joining the trend and comparing their legs with others.
The trend also sparked a lot of negative comments and criticism from other users, who pointed out the unrealistic and unhealthy standards of beauty that the trend was setting.
Why is the ‘Legging Legs’ Trend Harmful?
The ‘legging legs’ trend is harmful for several reasons.
First of all, it can trigger or worsen eating disorders and disordered eating among users, especially those who are already struggling with their body image and self-esteem.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect millions of people around the world and can have severe consequences for their physical and emotional health.
Some of the common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Secondly, the ‘legging legs’ trend can promote body shaming and bullying among users, who may feel pressured to conform to the unrealistic and narrow standards of beauty that the trend imposes.
Body shaming is the act of making negative or derogatory comments about someone’s appearance, weight, or shape.
Body shaming can lead to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
Bullying is the act of intentionally hurting or harming someone verbally, physically, or emotionally. Bullying can cause psychological distress, academic problems, and suicidal thoughts.
Thirdly, the ‘legging legs’ trend can distort the perception of reality and diversity among users, who may think that there is only one way to look good and be accepted.
The trend ignores the fact that everyone has a different body type, shape, and size and that there is no such thing as a perfect body.
The trend also disregards the fact that leggings are a versatile and comfortable clothing item that can be worn by anyone, regardless of their leg shape or size.
How did TikTok Ban the ‘Legging Legs’ Trend?
TikTok has taken steps to ban the ‘legging legs’ trend from its platform, after receiving backlash from users and experts who denounced the trend as potentially triggering and harmful.
TikTok has deleted the hashtag #legginglegs and redirected users who searched for it to a page that provides information and resources about eating disorders and disordered eating.
TikTok has also removed some of the videos that featured the trend and has encouraged users to report any content that violates its community guidelines.
TikTok has stated that it is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for its users and that it does not tolerate any content that promotes or glorifies eating disorders, body shaming, or bullying.
TikTok has also stated that it supports the well-being and mental health of its users and that it works with experts and organizations to provide support and education on these issues.
Conclusion
The ‘legging legs’ trend is a dangerous and damaging trend that has been banned by TikTok for its negative impact on users’ health and happiness. The trend is based on a false and unrealistic ideal of beauty that can cause eating disorders, body shaming, and bullying.
The trend also ignores the diversity and reality of human bodies and the fact that leggings are a clothing item that can be worn by anyone. TikTok has taken action to stop the trend and to protect its users from its harmful effects. TikTok has also provided information and resources to help users who may be affected by the trend or who may need support.
FAQs
How can I prevent or cope with eating disorders or disordered eating?
If you think you may have an eating disorder or disordered eating, the first step is to seek professional help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.
They can diagnose your condition and provide you with the appropriate treatment and support. You can also reach out to trusted family members, friends, or teachers who can offer you emotional support and guidance.
You can also find online or offline support groups, helplines, or websites that can connect you with other people who are going through the same thing.
Some of the resources that you can use are:
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): https://anad.org/
- Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA): https://bedaonline.com/
How can I deal with body shaming or bullying?
If you are experiencing body shaming or bullying, the first thing to remember is that it is not your fault and that you are not alone.
You have the right to feel good about yourself and your body, and no one has the right to make you feel otherwise.
You can also take some steps to protect yourself and cope with the situation, such as:
- Ignore or block the negative or hurtful comments or messages that you receive online or offline. Do not engage or argue with the people who are body shaming or bullying you, as this may only make things worse.
- Report the body shaming or bullying content or behavior to the platform, school, or authority that is responsible for it. You can also seek legal action if the body shaming or bullying is severe or persistent.
- Seek support from people who care about you and who can help you. You can talk to your family, friends, teachers, counselors, or mentors who can listen to you, comfort you, and advise you. You can also join online or offline communities, groups, or organizations that can provide you with positive and empowering messages and experiences.
- Practice self-care and self-love. You can do things that make you happy and relaxed, such as listening to music, reading, writing, drawing, playing games, or doing sports. You can also practice positive affirmations, gratitude, meditation, or yoga to boost your self-esteem and well-being.
How can I appreciate and celebrate my body and its diversity?
One of the ways to appreciate and celebrate your body and its diversity is to adopt a body-positive or body-neutral attitude.
Body positivity is the idea that all bodies are beautiful and worthy of respect, regardless of their shape, size, color, age, ability, or appearance.
Body neutrality is the idea that your body is not the most important or defining aspect of who you are and that you can focus on other qualities or aspects of yourself.
You can practice body positivity or body neutrality by:
- Avoiding or challenging the unrealistic and harmful standards of beauty that are imposed by the media, society, or culture. You can also diversify your media consumption and exposure by following or supporting people, accounts, or platforms that represent and celebrate different kinds of bodies and beauty.
- Being kind and compassionate to yourself and your body. You can avoid or stop the negative or critical thoughts or comments that you may have about yourself or your body, and replace them with positive or neutral ones. You can also treat your body with care and respect, by giving it the nourishment, rest, movement, and pleasure that it needs and deserves.
- Being respectful and supportive of other people and their bodies. You can avoid or stop the negative or judgmental thoughts or comments that you may have about other people or their bodies, and replace them with positive or neutral ones. You can also compliment, encourage, or celebrate other people and their bodies, and appreciate the diversity and beauty that they bring to the world.
Last modified: January 31, 2024
