Tuesday, August 14, 2007

• Facebook pro-ana groups?

  Facebook says it won't take down discussion groups that promote eating disorders.
  
  Social networking sites have been criticised for hosting so called pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia groups. Some give tips on how to starve yourself.
  
  Eating disorders' charities warn it's dangerous and stop people who are ill from getting help.
  
  Facebook says many of its groups are on controversial topics and that's not enough reason to take them down.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbeat/070813_facebook_proana.shtml

  What do you think? Should Facebook shut down groups like this? Should they be forced to shut them down?
  

  
  

  lisa
  I've had a look at these ' groups' and I think Facebook is great - if groups bother you - join them and say so - Let people be who and what they wanna be - you'll never change people - so change people xxxxxx

  Jane
  In response to Jess where as I do agree that some anorexics are born, I also feel that there are pressures from media groups and group pressures also "create" anorexics! I also think having sights giving tips on how to make yourself thinner are just putting ideas into young easily influenced minds and people who are already thinking in that way is just going to make them worse!I also think today people are to easily influenced as everyones so desperate to have theyre own identity!! the groups encouraging anorexia shld be taken down BUT there should instead be groups put up which encourage people to get help!

  Steve
  If Facebook were to close the particular groups in question, the members of those groups would probably be going backwards in their fight against anorexia because they'd feel like outcasts.It can only be considered fair that people with eating disorders have a place to go where they can talk to people that have a similar issue.I run a website community myself, and many of the teenagers there have eating disorders or other problems that are just part of their life.We need to stop being so judgemental, and realise that we don't understand everything and therefore can't reasonably control everything.

  jenni olpin
  I think Facebook should definitely shut these discussion rooms down! Its all very well saying that its just another controversial topic but when it promotes ill health and possibly even death it becomes less controversial and more accessory to murder! As the older generation we are, in effect, responsible for the shaping of young minds and this propaganda is not the way forward!

  vanessa
  I believe they should be shut down, people who are anorexic don't need yet more tips on how to kill themselves and get thinspiration. I have had experience with anorexia, of course pro-ana doesnt cause it, but it fuels the physical symptoms of anorexia. I agree with groups, that are for support for fellow sufferers but the moment there are tips how to starv yourself and loose more weight the site should be shut down immediatly. I'm sure groups about how to commit suicide would be shut down and pro-ana sites are exactly that.

  Celris*
  Even if the people viewing these groups do not have ED's,surely what is driving them to search these groups is curiosity...therefore,it is highly possible that they are in a vulnerable state as it is.
  
  As for programs like Hollyoaks and documentaries like 'Thin', I think the directors should take into account how much information on things like calories and methods they are giving away to young people viewing their programs.
  
  Although it is good that channel 4 give helplines after their Hollyoaks programs for people suffering from eating disorders, perhaps those helplines would not need to be set up if the tempation to be thin was not in tv programs and online groups to start with.

  Kate keenan
  ANOREXIA KILLS.I have been suffering from anorexia for the last 7year, throug out this time i have spent 5 years in hospital a nd eating disorder units. Im now at home but i still struggle alot, the thought of web sites allowing advice and tips to be given to mentally ill people who are suffereing from anorexia makes me so mad. i was lucky enough to get help, the last thing people need is DEATHLY advice. ANOREXIA KILLS

  Chrissey
  i think they should take the sites down. I'm naturally thin but i hate it - people are always calling me anorexic and its not funny. i don't know why anyone would want that.

  Kat
  I dont think it should be the issue of people using the groups, it should be WHY they are. I know how lonely having an eating disorder is, and am not against these groups as people to talk to who know what you are going through can really helpI just think there should be a lot more positive help as i know from experience that spending too much time on these sites can bring a person lower and lower.

  Helen
  i've had an eating disorder for 2 years nowand i can honestly say that pro -ana websites didnt do any more harm to me than i was already doing to myself. regardless of whether i had been given tips or encouragement on how to "develope" an eating disorder, i still would have dropped down to a dangerously low weight anyway. they honestly didnt make any difference. you wont "become" anorexic just because you go on a website that promotes it!
  
  i was already on my way down that road long before i even discovered these blogging networks. you might as well claim that you can become addicted to heroin just because you go on a site where people talk about using!its simple really; if you dont agree with por-ana sites then dont go on them. even if these were shut down more would just be created on other blogging networks in their place.i no longer agree with the size 0 trend but i do agree with freedom of speach!

  Harriet
  The group "Eatings Cheating" is about not filling up on food before you go for a beer so sa you can get more drunk, not so as you can get scarily thin!!

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