In recent years, social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have become influential forces shaping youth perceptions and behaviors regarding health and body image. Experts warn that these platforms often glorify thinness and disseminate misleading diet advice, which can lead vulnerable young people to develop serious eating disorders. French dietitian and nutritionist Carole Copti emphasizes that “we no longer treat an eating disorder without also addressing social media use,” highlighting its role as a trigger and obstacle to recovery.
Compounding this challenge is the increasing prevalence of misinformation, often fueled by online influencers and viral content, which can accelerate disordered eating patterns. Research indicates that the percentage of people worldwide who have experienced some form of eating disorder rose from 3.5 percent in 2000 to 7.8 percent in 2018, a period coinciding with the rise of social media influence.
Parallel to these health concerns, antisemitism has resurfaced in a disturbing and widespread manner. Recent incidents across different countries include a Molotov cocktail attack in Colorado targeting a peaceful Jewish march, the shooting of Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C., vandalism of a Holocaust museum in Paris, and the defacement of a Jewish business in London. These acts, carried out independently by different perpetrators, reveal a pattern of increasing violence and hostility towards Jewish communities worldwide.
Hen Mazzig, an Israeli-born writer and activist, describes this phenomena as more than isolated acts of hatred. “Each attack … highlights a deeper, global pattern where words become slogans, slogans turn into ideology, and ideology unleashes violence,” he states. Mazzig emphasizes that the rhetoric often used — such as calls to “end Zionists” or promote “globalize the intifada” — acts as dangerous encouragement for violent acts.
Furthermore, the societal response to such incidents often appears inadequate. The Colorado attack, for example, was initially underreported, and overall, there is a troubling tendency to minimize or ignore violence against Jewish individuals. Mazzig warns that “words matter,” and unchecked hate speech can lead to tragic consequences.
He reflects on the broader issue, asking why society allows targeted violence based on identity to persist and why victims are often forced to justify their pain. “We are afraid, not just in a viral-post way but in a quiet, profound way — hesitating before entering synagogues or speaking Hebrew in public,” he notes. “All we want is to be seen fully as human beings — hurting, vulnerable, and real.”
As these alarming trends continue, experts stress the importance of community engagement, awareness, and responsible social media use to combat misinformation and hate. Addressing these issues requires acknowledging their interconnectedness and fostering efforts to promote understanding and safety across all communities.
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