Liv Schmidt, a 22-year-old popular TikToker, was recently banned from the platform for promoting hazardous dieting tips. With over 670,000 followers, Schmidt’s content was criticized for encouraging eating disorders and reviving toxic diet trends from the 2000s.
Content Sparks Controversy
Schmidt’s posts typically included videos such as ‘What I Eat in a Day’ and ‘Skinny Girl Essentials,’ where she shared methods to reduce calorie intake. Critics accused her of promoting unhealthy behaviors, which raised concerns about the negative impact on her viewers, especially young adults.
The ban followed the publication of a profile on Schmidt by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which prompted TikTok to deactivate her account for violating the platform’s community guidelines. TikTok stated the account was taken down for sharing anorexic content and unsafe weight-loss methods but did not provide further details.
Schmidt’s videos were likened to the ‘pro-ana’ (pro-anorexia) movement from the early 2000s, which glamorized extreme thinness. Critics argued that her content resembled the dangerous trends of that era, which had a harmful effect on body image.
Schmidt’s Reaction to the Ban
After her account was removed, Schmidt expressed confusion and offense, claiming she hadn’t been notified of how her content violated TikTok’s policies. “I’m trying to build a genuine thing,” she told WSJ. Despite the setback, Schmidt quickly returned to the platform with a new account, @notlivsschmidt, and continued to post similar material.
Targeting White-Collar Women
In defense of her content, Schmidt stated that her videos were intended for women in white-collar jobs, who may have limited time for exercise. She said, “We all have the option to follow and block any content we want,” highlighting that viewers had the power to choose what they consumed online.
Maria Rago, a clinical psychologist and president of the national eating disorder nonprofit ANAD, voiced concerns over Schmidt’s influence, especially on young adults who experienced developmental challenges during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Rago emphasized the need for scrutiny in such cases.
Though banned from TikTok, Schmidt remains active on other platforms, including Instagram, where she has over 68,000 followers. She now offers a monthly $9.99 subscription for motivational tips and hosts a chatroom where users can share their advice.
