A mixed-methods analysis of the associations between interNET use and the development and maintenance of Eating Disorders in young people (NET-ED)

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the numbers of young people seeking treatment for eating disorders. The reasons for this remain unclear. Changes in engagement with digital media could be one of the contributory factors, as there is increasing evidence suggesting that problematic use of the internet is associated with more severe eating disorder symptoms. However, there is a wide diversity in how different people engage with online content and it is unclear how different online activities might interact with eating disorders. NET-ED uses a mixed-methods approach to improve our understanding of the relationship between eating disorder symptoms and digital media use in young people presenting to NHS services for treatment. We assess quantitative associations between eating disorder symptoms and online activities using self-report questionnaires and use qualitative interviews to gain more in-depth understanding of the factors and experiences underpinning these associations. The insights from NET-ED will be used as the basis for developing a future larger study assessing longitudinal relationships between internet use and eating disorders.