A scoping literature review of the associations between highly visual social media use and eating disorders and disordered eating: a changing landscape.

We reviewed existing literature considering the effects of highly visual social media (HVSM) on the development of eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating (DE) in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. There are gender differences in the use of HVSM and its associations with DE/ED through females' and males' distinct engagement styles. The main individual drivers for DE/ED are worsened body image, low self-esteem, and low body dissatisfaction, and these are influenced by other individual, family, and social factors. In addition, maladaptive use of HVSM leads to tolerance, withdrawal, and craving and is linked to anxiety and depression. Total time spent on HVSM, preoccupation with photo editing, and posting with blurred demarcation of real vs. virtual presentations is associated with DE/ED development. Given HVSM's popularity among the AYA and the risk for ED/DE in this population, it is important for clinicians, parents and other adults working with youth to be aware of HVSM's impacts.