Center for Countering Digital Hate

What I Wish I’d Never Seen

Social media algorithms are exposing vulnerable people and children to harmful body image content, including eating disorder and self-harm content. 

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta can do more to prevent this harm. 

Have you been affected by harmful body image content on social media? If you feel comfortable sharing your experience, we'd like to hear from you.

Your story can help show why What I Wish I’d Never Seen shouldn’t become someone else’s experience.  

Every story is different and we will contact you before we use yours. Here's how your story might be shared:

  • On our website
  • In our social media posts
  • In the media
  • As an example in events

By submitting your story, you are confirming that:

  • You are at least 18 years old.
  • You have permission to share this story.
  • You are willing to have your story shared publicly if agreed.

 

 Stories shared with CCDH: 

Anna Mockel was 14 when she started watching videos about losing weight on YouTube. The more she watched, the more the algorithms recommended harmful content. Until one day, her "Up Next” tab was flooded with videos glorifying skeletal bodies and extreme diets.

"YouTube became this community of people who are competitive with eating disorders. And it kept me in the mindset that [anorexia] wasn't a problem because so many other people online were doing the same thing."

Anna is now a mental health advocate.