Ban Pro Anorexia on Social Networking Sites

Harmful Tips for Thinspiration Grow on MySpace, Facebook and YouTube

Aug 13, 2007 Lori Henry

Should websites that encourage pro anorexia and pro bulimia be restricted or banned if they promote Thinspiration pics or harmful eating disorder tips?

Free speech is an important part of our North American society. But the widespread growth of pro anorexia and pro bulimia websites (sites that promote eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia) are running rampant.

Social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and YouTube are home to hundreds of pro eating disorder profiles, groups and thinspirations pics and videos. The individuals who participate in them support each other to continue their sick behavior and motivate them to stay in the destructive mindsets.

Social Networking Sites

The progression of MySpace, Facebook and YouTube has been extraordinary. Young people, especially, have proven that they love being on-line and communicating with each other via the internet. Unfortunately, people who are struggling with an eating disorder have collected together in order to give approval to their dangerous lifestyles.

"Rather than censor these groups, we are working to create partnerships with organisations that provide resources and advice to people suffering from such problems, and we will target those groups with messages of support," a spokesperson for MySpace has been quoted as saying (Daily Mail, 2007).

Banning Pro Anorexia and Pro Bulimia

Recently, many charities and non-profit groups have been making their opinion about the networks known. They believe that pro eating disorder groups and profiles should be banned from public sites so that users can’t encourage each other to be sick. They affirm that by not letting the individuals form unhealthy support with each other, it will help them to realize that they need treatment.

Beat, the well known charity in the UK, has commented that “responsible” search engines have begun deleting sites that are pro ana or pro mia, but social networking sites don’t seem to have the same control.

Banning Eating Disorder Tips

Would banning these types of groups be beneficial or is it injustice to stifle so many voices? The principal of the National Center for Eating Disorders said that she won’t take a firm opinion, as she also believes that some of the groups help people recover. And anyways, she continues, they’ll only crop up in another guise.

The mega sites do ban some content, as seen in their terms and conditions. Profiles that are hateful to race or religions and that are threatening to others are removed, but pro eating disorders are put into a grey area. How can we individually fight the rise in eating disorders? By raising intelligent and well rounded children who can make their own decisions and by being stable role models for the next generations to come.

The copyright of the article Ban Pro Anorexia on Social Networking Sites in Eating Disorders is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Ban Pro Anorexia on Social Networking Sites in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ban Pro Anorexia on Social Networking Sites

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Comments

Aug 13, 2007 1:33 AM

vicky ann smith :

I think it's going to be difficult to ban them, the volume is extensive and persistant, delete one, another is made. I used to visit the pro-ana websites on MSN groups, they gave me a place to express myself when I wasn't ready to give up the eating disorder.

Now I use MySpace e.t.c and the pro ana/mia pages sadden me, sometimes so much I end up binging and purging. Yet I don't want to stop going onto the site. In Myspace I've found a wonderful community fighting together.

I don't believe completely banning them will work but showing strength in recovery sites, promoting them may allow people to make the choice for recovery not the eating disorder.

Aug 13, 2007 9:49 AM

Naomi Rockler-Gladen :

Lori, I don't know what the answer is! Ethical implications aside, banning anything from he Internet is so difficult. But these sites make really sad too. "Thinspiration"?

Vicky, best of luck to you! It sounds like you're working hard.

Aug 13, 2007 6:45 PM

Lori Henry :

I know, there certainly isn't an easy or simple answer. It makes me so incredibly sad to see these sites because I know how consuming it can be to be involved with them. But I don't think banning will ever happen. I'm not even sure it would be beneficial. Energy could be spent doing much more productive things like providing better and more accessible treatment. Ah, I really do wish I had an answer...

May 11, 2008 12:34 AM

Guest :

I love pro-ana sites. I am more apt to be open and honest then on "recovery" sites that constantly monitor every word you say. Also, if someone is going to develop an ed, they'll do it regardless. Some of the tips and tricks can save lives, such as telling people not to use ipecac. In any case I if people don't want to view the page, they should not search for it. And if someone is intelligent enough to search for it in the first place, then they are old enough to take responsibility for their own lives. Leave pro-ana alone! GO PRO-ANA!

Sep 19, 2008 11:36 AM

Guest :

if you don't like those sites than just don't look for or at them. people who go to these sites already have a problem other wise they wouldn't be searching for these particuliar sites. The sites don't cause the problem. The problem exists regardless wether or not there are these sites.

Mar 31, 2009 11:56 AM

Guest :

I personally like pro-ana sites and I would be very upset if they were banned. They too often get negative comments, but the people who make these comments usually don't know anything of them! They don't understand; we all lean on eachother and support each other. Banning them is not going to help, it would just devastate the pro-ana community who would still continue regardless.

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