I just saw a link on facebook to a petition to make pro-anorexia sites illegal. My instinct was to sign it as I can't see any reason not to, but wondered what people thought. Would be interested to hear arguments for it not being illegal as I suspect there's a lot I haven't thought of in my musings on this!!
But there are recovery websites that people could use for support? Though I guess people in a very pro-mindset wouldn't be inclined to sign up to a recovery based website, but I guess there could still be 'neutral' websites that aren't actively pro, but also aren't like YAY DO ALL THE RECOVERING.
Personally I don't think the benefits of such sites being allowed would outweigh the cons?
I guess a site that has "tips" and encourages people to engage in eating disordered behaviours? I think pro-bulimia should be included too though. It could be tricky to define in terms of a law though.
Never mind the pro-anorexia websites petition, let's make a petition to make it an infraction points-worthy offence to not have a MOAR LESBIANS option on polls.
Why specifically pro-ED though? What about pro self-harm? What about sites that encourage or promote other behaviour that is or even could be harmful? Where's the line? Who gets to decide?
I don't like them but I don't necessarily think they should be illegal.
Sorry, I realise this has become sidetracked. I feel bad for barging in and answering the original question :P
"I know you're sad, so I won't tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day.
Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes, and don't give up on yourself just yet.
It'll get better. Until then, have a day."
It's the Internet. It'll simply push it further underground. As soon as a site gets banned another will be there to take its place.
Also, anyone in that sort of mindset could see "pro" activity in any sort of website, no matter its intentions. Someone who was looking for it could find all sorts of tips and tricks on this website, whether that be for eating disorders or any other sort of self-harm.
People would find tips regardless if they rly wanted to. There are sources other than the Internet.
BUT I guess banning them might reduce the volume of people who might be severely influenced by finding the websites- As in they stumbled upon them by mistake or had mild eating issues- I guess this would be another way of reducing that.
I have no clever responses rn but I would go with yes. The pro websites definitely do more harm than good so eliminating them or making more difficult to access has to be good.
Founder of: Capstealy avoidance method 3 aka The Steph Da First Method The picture above was kindly created by Sentient Treacle (leafy girl)
Never mind the pro-anorexia websites petition, let's make a petition to make it an infraction points-worthy offence to not have a MOAR LESBIANS option on polls.
I concur.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The One Who
It's the Internet. It'll simply push it further underground. As soon as a site gets banned another will be there to take its place.
Basically. Also I mean, lots of websites that aren't designed for it host 'pro' material, like tumblr.
Like how could that ban even be implemented, you don't have to be anything close to a computer whiz to set up a VPN or just download Tor browser. It's not hard to find ways to access things you aren't supposed to on the internet. I mean they changed the law on what was classed extreme/illegal porn like a year or so ago and I think like a handful of people have been prosecuted. Censoring the internet is nigh impossible. The only people I worry about with pro-ana sites is young people, but by that same token, I have young family members and have seen how they literally see this **** on Instagram etc to a degree, it's pretty inescapable. My sister is 12, she showed me her friend's Instagram, the girl scribbles over her nose in all her selfies, lots of her friends do similar things, it's possible some do it because it's the in thing to do, but literally how potentially toxic.
Worra ramble, anyway, banning is a pointless waste of time for all involved, spend it raising awareness or something? Idk I'm a right cynical alpha romeo sierra alpha.
Edit: Apparently I'm a cynical arsa. *Echo
Oh god I want to hear you say,
I want to hear you say that you were wrong again
This is the first thing
I have understood:
Time is the echo of an axe
Within a wood.
anyway, banning is a pointless waste of time for all involved, spend it raising awareness or something?
I agree actually. There will always be a way that it is available to access, so why not directly raise awareness about it in the first place. Being open about an issue is good I guess?
Founder of: Capstealy avoidance method 3 aka The Steph Da First Method The picture above was kindly created by Sentient Treacle (leafy girl)
It shouldn't be banned. Any sort of censorship sets a bad precedence, and it'd be difficult to enforce anyways.
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."- Thomas Jefferson
Honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps.
"Make it work." -Tim Gunn
Personally (and this may not be a very popular opinion) I do believe they should be banned.
This isn't to say that it will stop eating disorders from happening OR that it would be possible to entirely ban thinsporation. After all, the internet has a lot of damaging stuff on it.... but I truly do believe in boundaries.
After all, if there were no regulations then where would our own moral/social/political boundaries be? Is it ok to do whatever the hell we like online simply because it doesn't have the same social-consequences as 'real life'?
If the argument that we shouldn't have any sort of censorship be taken literally then what about issues such as pornography? Is it ok to portray sex even if it's non-consensual? What if it was damaging to the parties involved? What if it encourages children to have sex? Is that ok?
Im not saying that thinsporation is the worst thing you could do on the internet, but we can't live in a world with no boundaries. And encouraging people (young and old, male and female) to starve - or cut or commit - isn't ok with me.
By all means raise awareness of eating disorders (self harm, suicide etc) but dont glamourise it on the way! You don't have to sensationalise mental health problems.
F r e d d i e
I am raw meat in a slaughter house, packaged according to what you are hungry for . . .
I'm not sure really. I don't like pro sites and wish they weren't there, but I don't think making them illegal is the answer. I feel uneasy about the internet being censored, and I like the idea of freedom of speech and able to express ideas online. As others have mentioned, if you start banning pro sites then where will it end? Any definition of what a pro site is could still shut down sites that are more helpful than pro, and those who want to find pro material will just bury it deeper until you end up with a strange scenario where people are hosting pro sites on the same platform you can find extreme illegal pornography and buy hard drugs. That sounds far more dangerous to me.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
