Could a Massive Pro-Ana Website Shut-down Make a Difference?
April 8, 2008 by angelique
Filed under Women's Health
Super blogger Trench Reynolds from b5’s www.mycrimespace.com and www.psychoforlove.com sent me this link a while ago:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91251-1306604,00.html.
It’s an article aimed at the British market discussing the need to close (or at least “closely monitor”) pro-ana websites, such as those on Facebook and MySpace.
Obviously, this website isn’t going to be the target of such shut-downs. We’re not pro-ana – we’re pro-recovery, pro-health, pro-individual, pro-YOU.
Consequently, I’m not worried about Breaking the Mirror falling into the abyss.
The reason I’m bringing this to the table for discussion is because I don’t feel that pro-ana websites can be taken off the Internet.
How is that possible, really?
As soon as one website is removed, another can freely pop up somewhere else.
Sure, they might have to “disguise” their names, but anyone looking for such thinspiration (including the so-called “wannarexics”) will find the sites.
What is your feeling about this whole shut-down business?
Just another slow-news-day story? Or does it hold merit?
I think it’s pretty problematic. I mean, is someone actually proposing to shut down all sites that they feel are pro-ana? If so, then how much money and time are they willing to dedicate to that effort, because I think it will take a lot. As you said, new ones could pop up every day one is shut down, and in less obvious venues. Then what? The message is disguised from its censors but not from those who want to see it. And if its pro-ana today, what is tomorrow?
I think a more effective approach would be the proliferation and success of websites like “Breaking the Mirror.” So for every negative message, there is a positive pro-health one to counteract it.
Keep doing what you do!