TikTok Bans 'Skinny Influencer' Liv Schmidt for Promoting Dangerous Weight Loss Trends

Liv Schmidt, a 22-year-old social media influencer known for promoting restrictive dieting and calorie limitations, has been banned from TikTok for violating the platform’s community guidelines. Before her account was disabled, Schmidt had amassed over 670,000 followers, but her content faced criticism for reviving early 2000s diet culture, often associated with unhealthy weight loss behaviors.

TikTok disabled her account last week following a profile in The Wall Street Journal that highlighted her controversial videos. When the publication inquired about her content, TikTok responded by removing her account. However, Schmidt quickly resurfaced on a new account, continuing to share similar content.

A TikTok representative told The New York Times that Schmidt’s original account was taken down for promoting disordered eating and dangerous weight loss practices, in line with the platform’s guidelines against such content. These rules are particularly pertinent in the current environment, where quick weight-loss solutions like Ozempic have gained popularity, especially among celebrities.

Schmidt’s videos have sparked polarizing discussions about unhealthy weight loss tactics and their potential to encourage disordered eating, countering the ongoing body positivity movement. Her TikTok bio stated, “It’s not a sin to want to be thin,” which resonated with critics who compared her influence to the problematic “pro-ana” trends of the past.

In her content, Schmidt often shares tips such as, “Half the time you’re not actually hungry; you’re just literally just thirsty,” which reflects the unproven diet culture ideologies she promotes. Despite claiming she has never experienced disordered eating, Schmidt admitted to feeling discomfort in her body and stated that society treated her better after losing weight.

Though her TikTok account is banned, Schmidt maintains a significant following on Instagram, where she has over 68,000 followers. She also operates a community channel called “skinny girl group community chat,” offering advice and tips for a subscription fee of $9.99 per month.