TikTok’s Influence on Illegal Steroid Promotion
A recent report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reveals that TikTok has become a significant platform for promoting steroids and other bodybuilding drugs. The study highlights the alarming trend of influencers using the video-sharing site to endorse these products, often downplaying the associated risks. CCDH founder and CEO Imran Ahmed expresses concern, stating that young men are being targeted with messages like, “If you want to be like Captain America, you’ve got to take these drugs.”
TikTok, with 87 million users in the US, has faced criticism for promoting toxic diet culture, encouraging excessive spending, and amplifying Chinese propaganda. The CCDH focused its study on videos that promote steroid-like drugs (SLDs), including anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), peptides, and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).
While the CCDH report raises concerns, TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe argues that the research does not distinguish between harmful content and positive discussions about recovery from steroids or their side effects. Rathe explains that due to the sheer volume of videos on TikTok, it is impossible for the CCDH to accurately assess the content solely based on the type of data they present.
Examples cited in the report include a video of a fitness enthusiast working out, where text overlays state, “Hear me out. Everyone always hating on steroids bro. You know who took steroids? Captain America. Bro literally is a morally grounded character and he injected super soldier serum.” Another video features a young man deadlifting with text displaying his mother’s concern about his supplement use and the response, “Yeah buddy!” from bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman.
The CCDH report also asserts that adolescents who use protein powder supplements have a significantly higher risk of trying steroids and other muscle-building products. One TikTok video shows a man finding a vial of drugs in his whey protein powder, accompanied by text that humorously reads, “I found something in the whey.”
In a particularly disturbing video, a 13-year-old boy documents his “30-day steroids transformation,” showcasing a series of images where he becomes increasingly muscular. These videos contribute to a culture where abusing these drugs to alter body shape and size is normalized.
The report highlights specific SLDs gaining popularity on TikTok, such as MK-2866, which is banned for human use but still sold by third-party supplement companies. Videos using the hashtag #MK-2866 on TikTok have amassed millions of views, with one popular post promoting the supplement’s benefits in terms of lean muscle gains, strength improvement, and reduced recovery time.
Another SLD, Trenbolone (or “tren”), popular among bodybuilders, is now being sought after by non-weightlifters due to its TikTok promotion. One account called @teach_me_roids offers tips on bio-hacking puberty to suppress estrogen levels in young boys, claiming it can increase height and genital size. The account also provides a discount code for Swiss Chems, a site known for selling research chemicals. On Swiss Chems’ website, there is a dedicated section for SARMs.
Apart from these specific examples, the CCDH emphasizes the need for policymakers to close online loopholes that allow the sale of SLDs. They also call on TikTok to better enforce its ban on content promoting recreational drug use. TikTok’s spokesperson assures that content involving SARMS will be promptly removed once detected.
The CCDH report follows an earlier warning by the Food and Drug Administration about the marketing of performance-enhancing drugs to teenagers and young adults on social media platforms. The CCDH urges policymakers to take action against sites selling SLDs, and requests that TikTok strengthens its enforcement of the ban on content promoting recreational drug use.
With Post wires
