Eating Disorders in Minors and the Role of the Media. An Ethical Investigation

Abstract

In his paper, Christoph Schickhardt proposes an ethical analysis of the role of the media for the development of eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa and related issues such as unhealthy weight control behavior in children and adolescents. Eating disorders are highly severe mental diseases and relatively common among minors. Although their pathogenesis is complex, there is considerable evidence suggesting that the idealizing presentation of very slim bodies in the media, to which many children are exposed intensively for years since early childhood, might contribute to minors’ risk of developing eating disorders. This raises ethical questions concerning the well-being and rights of children and adolescents as well as the rights and responsibility of the media. Applying a liberal-egalitarian point of view, Schickhardt argues that while using seductive presentations of thin bodies is no core element of the freedom of the media, it jeopardizes central elements of children’s well-being. Putting susceptible and vulnerable young people at risk for eating disorders is ethically inacceptable. Measures to protect minors and foster their media literacy and resilience are due. In his conclusion, the author mentions some concrete measures which might be suitable.