The policy change makes sense. I'm not sure why they hadn't done this earlier. I don't think posting detailed accounts about ed, si, or suicide does anyone a favor.
I like it. I wish they didn't use the term self mutilation
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
When I was more unwell, I would have been really annoyed at something like this, and probably started arguing for freedom of expression or censorship or something, but yeah, this is a really good idea, I'm glad they're implementing it.
I'm not really sure what I think of this, so here is why I'm not totally for nor against this:
Pro
* Obviously the promotion of SH or ED disorders is misguided and harmful. It makes sense to screen out content aimed at persuading others towards unhealthy lifestyles.
Con
* People should be allowed to add whatever content they want on the internet. The protest for freedom of expression on the internet concerning SOPA is still fresh in our minds...
* Removal of someone's personal content is the wrong way to address the problem. Instead there should be search filters to block out mature/ SH/ ED/ violent/ drug-related/ etc content.
* I would hope that Tumblr is making a distinction between promoting self harm and posting about self harm. The latter is much different than the former. If merely posting about self harm in any way is enough to get censored I would be very outraged.
*Oh and there's also the fact that stuff like tobacco, that pretty much kills you slowly, is permitted to be publicly advertised.
^I definitely agree. Requiring people to label it and restricting it as mature content only available to over 18 might be better. I don't use the site, so I don't know how it works, but I do see a problem with censorship, even censorship of harmful things. I like the idea much more on creating tools to control what you personally choose to view, instead of controlling what people personally choose to express.
Stereotypes are the epitome of human laziness.
- me
i think im only against it because of personal feelings at the moment, and i know it wouldnt be good for someone in the community to see the type of graphic images that are posted if they were in a similar state of mind.
and i disagree with pro sites anyway, because ED's, self harm and suchlike, are not things to be glamourised.
what if some innocent 12 year old was on tumblr and came accross it by accident, which does happen alot with the internet!
i dont think this can be seen as the same as the SOPA movement, because its not wrapping us in cotton wool, and im all for free expression, but what is the benefit really of posting pictures of wounds on the internet?
I'm fine! Totally fine. I don't know why it's coming out all loud and squeaky, 'cause really, I'm fine!
I agree. It's nothing in the league of SOPA. This is about a website determining what content is appropriate in order to foster the type of atmosphere that it wants. Pretty much every website accepting user content has some rules about what you post. I could get my account locked on wikipedia for making more than 3 reverts to an article in a day. I could get my post edited on this site for giving details on how I hurt myself. The reasons for these rules are simple, wikipedia wants to be a place where issues get discussed instead of turning into a war of who can revert the fastest. RYL wants to be a place where people talk about feelings rather than compare notes on hurting yourself. Both sites have created a better environment for their users with their rules. You're always free to create your own website and can police it's content however you see fit.
Edit:Just look at usenet. It's mostly spam, but they do have a channel that encourages suicide.
I have decided that all in all it's a good move for Tumblr. I don't really feel like arguing about whether or not its like SOPA, but it is a good point that every website restricts certain content and this is nothing new. Personally I think Tumblr is so widely used and for so many different things that they shouldn't restrict it, or again they should have "hidden" it behind filters and PSAs; but you're right, they can do whatever they want to do.
I'm in favour of further restrictions. Self harm, suicidal ideations, and eating disorders should never be encouraged or portrayed as healthy. People should always be prompted to seek help if they are experiencing any of those things.
Like it or lump it tumblr is a private company and they can make what ever rules they want, it's nothing to do with censorship it's about encouraging recovery and any website which takes steps such as these should be congratulated not condemned. I also like the fact they plan to post the details of recovery organisations and helplines in the event someone searches for things like proana, thinspiration, etc.
People are only against these measures because their judgement is currently clouded by their illness/mindset, in the same way an alcoholic doesn't want to give up booze at first and will often actively resist attempts to stop them. Ask them a few years down the line after they've recovered and they'll thank you for saving their life though.
Last edited by Rhuben : 29-02-2012 at 04:07 PM.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Like it or lump it tumblr is a private company and they can make what ever rules they want, it's nothing to do with censorship it's about encouraging recovery and any website which takes steps such as these should be congratulated not condemned. I also like the fact they plan to post the details of recovery organisations and helplines in the event someone searches for things like proana, thinspiration, etc.
People are only against these measures because their judgement is currently clouded by their illness/mindset, in the same way an alcoholic doesn't want to give up booze at first and will often actively resist attempts to stop them. Ask them a few years down the line after they've recovered and they'll thank you for saving their life though.
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
I totally agree they can do whatever they want, as its their own site. But in general, I don't think censorship of anything is appropriate as a society, even of harmful things. Again, that has nothing to do with a private site, but as far as the topic of censorship goes, in regards to comments that you have to be ill to not want this to be censored, I disagree as I think censorship just encourages people to not control themselves and not think for themselves. Of course you need site like RYL to go to for when you are ill to keep yourself safe, but as for the idea (which I know wasn't mentioned yet, but made me think of it) that harmful things should be censored online/elsewhere in general is not good to me. I think that pro sites are absolutely horrible, and I would never want to go to one, but I also don't think they should be taken down as long as there is some sort of warning as to what they are. So yeah, I agree a website has a right to do what it wants, and that websites that do protect people are absolutely essential (like RYL), but that censorship as a whole is detrimental no matter what the topic is (except of course if someone was harmed in the process of distributing the material, such as coercion, child porn, etc.)
Stereotypes are the epitome of human laziness.
- me
No one is stopping anyone from launching their own pro-ana website. And there is no requirement that it carry any type of warning. You're also free to browse and post on others unmoderated forums like alt.suicide.holiday or slashdot. And truthfully, I wouldn't have it any other way. But your right to free speech doesn't mean that you can force others to carry your views. A TV station can refuse to air a commercial that it deems to be offensive. After all, doesn't the TV station have a right to express it's opinion?
That said, I'm glad to be able to browse moderated forums. Having to sift through spam and trolling to get to something interesting is such a downer.
