Advertising is everywhere, especially on social networks that we browse all day long. So inevitably, it impacts us without even being able to realize it. Something that the concentrate of Pinterest inspirations are well aware of. The social network has also just adopted a new advertising policy, more inclusive, which will finally put an end to body shaming.
Whether you open a website or scroll on his favorite social network, same observation: the advertisements generated by the data collected during our previous uses are never missing. If some allow us to find the rare pearl when we are looking for a recipe, an appliance or a specific beauty product, it is clear that others are less benevolent towards our self-esteem. We of course want to talk about the ads for diets and weight loss that make us not love ourselves as we are, and to transform our body according to current beauty standards that still rhyme too often with cult of thinness, although we are finally beginning, in parallel, to celebrate all body types as they deserve.
No matter our origins, our sex, our age or our build, we can all be exposed and feel concerned by these guilty and degrading advertising messages that advise us to transform our silhouette to become slimmer , more beautiful.beautiful. And this is a real problem when we know, on the one hand, that these advertisements can generate complexes and much deeper problems related to our body image (which can go as far as impacting our mental health). On the other hand, that young users of social networks may feel pressure in the face of this advertising hype. And let’s be clear, it is simply impossible to protect yourself from it as long as you are a user of social networks that allow this content. That’s why Pinterest’s new move to ban all weight loss ads on social media is a good thing. At aufeminin, we applaud this decision loud and clear!
What has really changed on Pinterest?
At a time when the movement body positive has gone beyond the awakening of consciousness and is becoming the norm, Pinterest has taken a radical decision regarding certain advertisements that still appeared in the results of searches carried out on the social network which is full of inspiring and trending images, and of practical ideas.
Since July 1, Pinterest has in fact banned all ads containing text or images related to weight loss. A new advertising policy which specifically prohibits any content or image that idealizes or denigrates certain body types, any reference to the body mass index (BMI) or similar indices, all products to be worn or applied on the body. skin that claim to allow weight loss, but also any testimony regarding weight loss or diet products. The idea being to sit Pinterest as “a platform of positive inspirations”As Sarah Bromma, Head of Policy at Pinterest, explains in a press release announcing this new advertising policy:
Our priority is to maintain a safe, positive and inspiring experience on the platform. This update to our advertising policy is a major step in prioritizing the mental and physical health of our users. We want them to be able to feel free to be themselves on Pinterest, and celebrate the diversity of bodies, whatever their shape or size.
This measure will really change the situation on the user side because we could regret until then that the efforts of the social network concerning the fight against body shaming do not include these types of stigmatizing content.
As a reminder, Pinterest had already established certain rules on its platform in order to prohibit the body shaming, as well as the apology for thinness and drastic diets. Advertising content concerning appetite suppressant or weight loss tablets, food supplements or others were already excluded from the platform. Just like those including images before / after weight loss, interventions to lose weight such as liposuction or fat burning, or the body shaming (barely) disguised in the form of pictures or words that mock or discredit certain body types or physical appearances. Not to mention, of course, the claims about unrealistic cosmetic results.
This new initiative of the social network is therefore a perfect complement to the bans that were already in place and really gives us hope to put an end to the body shaming constant that some online on social networks.
The end of recipes healthy and fitness on Pinterest?
With these new measures, one can wonder what will be the place, and above all, if there will be a place for some of our favorite research. Does this new position of the social network ring the end of the recipe tables healthy and pinning fitness exercises that make us shapely buttocks or firm thighs on Pinterest? Not really.
Rest assured if you love to find ideas for healthy and balanced dishes on the star social network of cooking recipes, or if you are passionate about sport and fitness, advertisements that promote habits and fashions healthy living or fitness products and services will remain authorized on the social network. As long as they do not revolve around weight loss of course. A bias that Pinterest explains in this same press release:
“As our user community grows, searches for topics such as healthy eating, healthy living, and fitness advice are increasing. We will continue to provide useful and relevant content for those who are interested while prohibiting content that exposes, justifies or encourages eating disorders and other practices dangerous to mental and physical health. For example, as soon as users search for keywords associated with eating disorders, the search is automatically blocked, directing the user to an organization that can help them. ”
Today, Pinterest is the only major platform to ban all of these weight loss ads. An approach that we welcome and that it would be useful to extend to all social networks to take another step towards equality on a daily basis.
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Elodie Le Gall
Passionate about writing and beauty, Elodie swaps her lipstick for her laptop in order to find you the best of makeup, hairstyle and skincare trends, and professional tips …