(AP)TikTok has banned weight loss supplements and fasting apps from advertising on the platform as part of a policy change targeting the weight loss industry. As well as the ban on some products, TikTok said it would also only allow adverts for weight management products to reach users over the age of 18 and was introducing stronger restrictions on weight loss claims made in ads in order to limit “irresponsible claims”. The social media platform said the changes were being made in response to ongoing issues online around weight stigma and body shaming, which TikTok said had become worse during the coronavirus pandemic. “Weight loss products can be very attractive to people affected by eating disorders. “Using social media can be a helpful way of finding supportive recovery communities, but also has the potential to be a trigger.

Source: Irish Independent September 23, 2020 13:52 UTC