Experts urge next DSM to consider algorithmic influence on eating disorders

Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, and Riley Nickols, a sports psychologist, argue that the upcoming DSM revision, expected in 2030, must address how digital algorithms shape eating disorder risk.

They point out that the last DSM update in 2013 occurred before platforms like TikTok and generative AI became widespread. Today, algorithm‑driven feeds dominate how users encounter messages about food, bodies and exercise, potentially reinforcing harmful ideals.

The authors propose that clinicians should routinely assess a patient’s exposure to algorithmic content alongside traditional factors such as trauma, family dynamics and substance use, making the digital environment a standard part of eating disorder evaluation.