Pinterest said Thursday it’s updating its advert insurance policies to “prohibit all adverts with weight reduction language and imagery.” The firm mentioned in a weblog submit that it developed its new coverage with steering from the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), whose analysis reveals there was a rise in eating disorders and unhealthy consuming habits in younger folks throughout the pandemic.
“Pinterest is the place folks come for inspiration to create life they love,” the weblog submit reads. “It’s the place everybody belongs—no matter physique form or measurement. We’re empowering Pinners to plan for a summer time and past with out weight reduction adverts, to allow them to deal with what issues most.”
The firm claims it’s the “solely main platform to ban all weight reduction adverts,” and that the brand new guidelines construct on the corporate’s present advert insurance policies towards physique shaming and weight reduction scams. In 2019, Instagram restricted weight reduction content material and sure forms of beauty surgical procedure from being seen by customers below age 18.
Beginning Thursday, Pinterest’s coverage will prohibit:
- Any weight reduction language or imagery
- Any testimonials concerning weight reduction or weight reduction merchandise
- Any language or imagery that idealizes or denigrates sure physique sorts
- Referencing physique mass index or related indices
- Any merchandise that declare weight reduction by one thing worn or utilized to the pores and skin
Ads for weight reduction or urge for food suppressant capsules, before-and-after weight reduction imagery, weight reduction procedures like liposuction or fats burning, physique shaming, and “unrealistic” claims about beauty outcomes have been already banned below the coverage, the corporate added.
Elizabeth Thompson, interim CEO for NEDA, applauded the transfer. “NEDA is inspired by this vital step in prioritizing the psychological well being and well-being of Pinners, particularly these impacted by eating regimen tradition, physique shaming, and consuming problems,” she mentioned in an announcement. “We are hopeful this international coverage will encourage different organizations and firms to replicate on doubtlessly dangerous advert messages and to ascertain their very own working insurance policies that may create significant change.”
Pinterest has been one of many extra forward-thinking social media platforms relating to reining in dangerous or deceptive content material in its adverts. In 2016, it prohibited adverts for “delicate content material together with cultural appropriated and inappropriate costumes.” It stopped operating political adverts in 2018, and in 2019, Pinterest was one of many first social media firms to block anti-vaccination content material, to forestall misinformation from spreading on its platform.
Earlier this yr the corporate mentioned it could end the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) when workers go away the corporate, following a settlement with its former COO who had alleged gender discrimination.
