Months after TikTok vowed to ban videos promoting sunbaking, the social media platform is still allowing sponsored tanning videos to be posted and viewed.

Key points:

  • TikTok said last year it would prevent the promotion of sun tanning 
  • But hundreds of videos still show users eager to show off tan lines and offer different tips
  • Experts said any promotion of tanning was concerning

Tanning oils and products that promise to boost melanin for a quicker tan are being promoted on the Chinese-owned app.

After enquiries from the ABC, TikTok said it would review promotional content that featured tanning oils from today.

It said in a statement that it valued the community’s safety and that it had implemented campaigns such as one called “Tanning: That’s Cooked”.

But since the announcement last year, hundreds of videos show users eager to show off tan lines and offer different tips to achieve a deep tan.

The promotion of these products has people like 29-year-old Courtney Mangan worried.

Courtney Mangan, who has skin cancer, says social media is glamorising tanning.(ABC News: Steve Keen)

Ms Mangan has advanced melanoma and said it was disturbing to see so many paid partnerships.

“So many social media stars now promoting getting outside, getting a tan, it’s becoming more and more harmful,” she said.

“I find smoking and sun tanning to be exactly the same — both of those things will kill you.”

Cancer Council SA said it was disappointing that the announcement was not acted upon sooner.

“We were thrilled when we heard TikTok was going to ban tanning,” Cancer Council SA prevention manager Christine Morris said.

“It’s incredibly worrying for us. We know social media is influential to young people.”

Ms Morris says it is worrying TikTok’s ban appears not to have gone ahead.(ABC News: Che Chorley)

Ms Mangan said there needed to be a change in how people viewed sunbaking.

“It’s all about a healthy tan, and it makes you look sexy,” Ms Mangan said.

“I think it’s not just social media; it’s the way of life in Australia.

“We praise people about having that glow about them, but when you’re fair, the connotations are you’re sick or ill.”

Push for change

Melanoma Institute Australia said an Australian was diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes, and a person died every six hours.

The institute’s co-medical director, Professor Richard Scolyer, spoke about the issue of social media glamorising tanning at the National Press Club last year.

Professor Scolyer says advertising tanning should be banned.(Supplied: Melanoma Institute Australia)

He said the federal government needed to implement advertising bans on tanning.

“Change has to happen across the board,” Professor Scolyer said.

“If action isn’t heeded, we need to work with the federal government in particular for real and lasting change.”

Professor Scolyer said while it had taken months for TikTok to implement its promise, it was still a step in the right direction.

“Credit where credit is due, but more needs to be done to tackle Australia’s tanning culture,” he said.

“TikTok committed to removing harmful content from its platform relating to sunburn and tanning.

“We are delighted to hear that TikTok has extended its ‘Tanning: That’s Cooked’ campaign … through autumn.

“We would love to see changes across all the social media platforms.”