InterNET use and Eating Disorders in young people (NET-ED)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
InterNET use and Eating Disorders in young people: a mixed methods pilot study (NET-ED)
IRAS ID
359886
Contact name
Jeremy Solly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
osf.io/7cv9s, Open Science Framework Pre-Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
This research study aims to improve our understanding about whether and how eating disorder (ED) symptoms might be related to how young people use the internet.
EDs are mental health problems that involve concerns about food or weight that impact on people’s daily activities and/or physical health. People with EDs may experience changes in body weight, significant concerns about their body weight or shape, or a sense of being out of control around the amount of food they eat, alongside a wide range of other difficulties. EDs can be very dangerous for mental and physical health, and in severe cases can lead to long lasting ill-health and even death.
There is a growing concern that the way people use the internet can affect the way they think about their bodies, how they eat, and their patterns of exercise. Previous research has shown that there are links between social media use and disordered eating symptoms or body image concerns. However, there is very little previous research which has looked at social media use, or internet use more broadly, in people who are currently engaging in treatment for EDs.
This research study focuses on young people aged 14-25, who have grown up using the internet for a wide range of activities, and who are currently engaging with NHS treatment for ED symptoms. In the first part of the study, participants will answer questionnaires about their internet use and other aspects of their lives, including the ED symptoms that they are experiencing. This will allow us to see whether there are links between a range of different online activities and ED symptoms. In the second part of the study, we will ask a smaller group of young people to take part in interviews, so we can understand their thoughts about how the internet might be related to ED symptoms and how this has changed over time for them.
People with lived experience of EDs and carers have been involved in designing the project. We will continue to consult with them as we carry out the work, to make sure that the project remains focused on the concerns of people affected by EDs. We hope that this project will be a first step towards expanding our understanding of the links between internet use and ED symptoms. Once this project is finished, we plan to share our findings as widely as possible and use them as a starting point for developing future research projects that will help us to understand how people with EDs can benefit from the internet while avoiding the possible risks.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
25/ES/0077
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion