TikTok’s “feet with feet” trend has been banned from the app following eating disorder concerns

TikTok has banned a ‘toxic’ new trend after receiving massive backlash from users.

The video-sharing app has decided to ban a trend called “legs with legs” after users claimed it was creating unrealistic and harmful body standards for young girls.

After first becoming popular last year, the trend has seen young girls share videos of themselves in tights and tag the video ‘legs with legs’ as they claim their legs don’t look ‘good’ in the activewear. news.com.au reports.

This quickly sparked concern among app users, with one therapist sharing a video calling it “repulsive”.

“It’s basically a trend that says if you wear leggings and you wear leggings, your legs have to look a certain way in them,” she added. “Again, that’s disgusting. Don’t let social media tell your body it’s a trend. If you’ve got a body and you’ve got leggings, you’ve got leggings.’

Another user asked if younger users of the app are aware of the harm these trends are creating: “Do we understand that there are 15-year-old girls who wear leggings every day who now think they can’t wear leggings because I don’t have long feet… stupidest thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” she said.

Australian model and fitness influencer Stephanie Claire Smith also weighed in on the issue, insisting it was “toxic”.

Recalling a time in her life when she wanted a ‘crotch’ – a space between your thighs where your feet touch, she said it drove her ‘crazy’ as her genetics prevented her body from naturally having that gap .

“And now there’s a trend: legs with leggings. If you have legs and you’re wearing a pair of leggings, you have leggings.

“Don’t worry what the hell the internet says. I’m so, so done so donewith these stupid trends that are so, so toxic and so harmful.’

It has already been widely reported that the app has banned the hashtag so that TikTok users cannot find trending videos. Instead, it will show them videos with information about what to do if you have an eating disorder.

Speaking to news.com.au, a spokesperson for the app confirmed the hashtag had been removed, telling the publication that “when people search for #legginglegs or eating disorder-related content, they are shown a pop-up with a link to the Butterfly Foundation”.

“TikTok is an inclusive and body-positive environment, and we don’t allow content that depicts, promotes, normalizes or glorifies eating disorders.”

In New Zealand, searching for the term in the app will take you to a page with the number of the Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with eating disorders.

An estimated 13,000 Kiwis suffer from eating disorders each year RNZ reporting in late 2022 that their numbers had skyrocketed over the past five years.

The figures obtained from checkpoint show that hospital admissions for eating disorders have increased by 75 percent since 2017, with the problem widespread among early teens.

The figures show a 168% increase in hospital admissions for children aged 10 to 14 over the past five years.

Do you need help?

Contact the Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand if you need help finding a private provider in your area by calling Ph 0800 2 EDANZ or emailing [email protected]

If you need urgent help, contact your GP or local mental health provider. Or if you need to speak to someone else:

• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 or 09 5222 999 within Auckland (available 24/7)

• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email [email protected] or online chat.

• WE NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737 for free (available 24/7)

• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)