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Banning #SkinnyTok won’t fix the problem of viral harm
Hashtag bans are symbolic and have limited reach. We need to treat the systems, not the symptoms.
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A recent study by the Institute of Mental Health found that nearly half of young Singaporeans aged 15 to 21 show signs of problematic smartphone use.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Chew Han Ei
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When TikTok recently removed the #SkinnyTok hashtag
When used in searches on the platform, it had become a gateway to extreme dieting videos, “thinspiration” content, pro-ana (pro anorexia) sites and dangerous messaging aimed at young users.
