Opinion: Next DSM Should Address Algorithm's Role in Eating Disorders

Experts argue that the DSM-5's successor, expected in 2030, must recognize how digital environments and social media algorithms contribute to eating disorders. Current diagnostic criteria fail to account for the pervasive influence of algorithmic content that promotes unhealthy body images and disordered eating behaviors. As eating disorders increasingly develop within digital contexts, mental health professionals emphasize the need for updated diagnostic frameworks that address technology's role in disease development and maintenance. This evolution would better reflect modern patient experiences and improve clinical assessment and treatment approaches.