Are Social Media Sites the New Pro-Eating Disorder Communities?
This article by Nicki Karimipour originally appeared in Adios Barbie on September 30.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the Internet was rife with pro-eating disorder websites and their associated content, also known as pro-ana (anorexia) and pro-mia (bulimia) content. This took the form of specialized websites and message boards dedicated solely to sharing tips and tricks for losing weight, extreme exercise routines, and virtual encouragement and support for others experiencing eating disorders or disordered eating issues.
As the media landscape transformed and became increasingly social, users seeking this type of content have not only moved to social media platforms and mobile apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, but also to microblogging sites like Tumblr and Twitter.
