Social Networks Fight Eating Disorders
Online social networks are stepping up to stop eating disorders!
Recently, a group of Websites including Facebook, Pinterest, and the blogging site Tumblr announced they will begin deleting any user post that promotes or glorifies eating disorders. Experts say this is great news because, until recently, social media is where people often went to discover so-called “pro-ana” or “pro-mia” pages.
As we’ve talked about before, those are sites that actually encourage and glorify anorexia and bulimia, by saying it’s a lifestyle choices, and basically give people a how-to manual with tips on how to lose weight, and hide the weight loss from your family.
For example: A teenage girl might type “thin-spo” on Pinterest, which is short for thin-spiration, and find photos others have posted, showing how they look “before” and “after” becoming anorexic. That’s how people with eating disorders now connect and find each other. It’s a “secret society,” where they help each other reach unhealthy goals.
That’s a huge problem when you consider that 11 million North Americans have an eating disorder today, and thousands of them die every year!
That’s why health experts are applauding this new move by social media. Because now, if someone searches for “pro-ana” on Pinterest, Instagram or Tumblr, instead of seeing pictures of emaciated models for thin-spiration, they now see messages from support groups that can actually help them with their diseases.
If you or someone you know needs help, check out the Website for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, at ANAD.org.
Recently, a group of Websites including Facebook, Pinterest, and the blogging site Tumblr announced they will begin deleting any user post that promotes or glorifies eating disorders. Experts say this is great news because, until recently, social media is where people often went to discover so-called “pro-ana” or “pro-mia” pages.
As we’ve talked about before, those are sites that actually encourage and glorify anorexia and bulimia, by saying it’s a lifestyle choices, and basically give people a how-to manual with tips on how to lose weight, and hide the weight loss from your family.
For example: A teenage girl might type “thin-spo” on Pinterest, which is short for thin-spiration, and find photos others have posted, showing how they look “before” and “after” becoming anorexic. That’s how people with eating disorders now connect and find each other. It’s a “secret society,” where they help each other reach unhealthy goals.
That’s a huge problem when you consider that 11 million North Americans have an eating disorder today, and thousands of them die every year!
That’s why health experts are applauding this new move by social media. Because now, if someone searches for “pro-ana” on Pinterest, Instagram or Tumblr, instead of seeing pictures of emaciated models for thin-spiration, they now see messages from support groups that can actually help them with their diseases.
If you or someone you know needs help, check out the Website for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, at ANAD.org.
