Pro Girls
Pro Girls
 |
 Nike Boys Arsenal Jersey Gray Red Size L  US $34.99
|
 Kids Plastic Football Deflated White US $7.11
|
 Kids Plastic Football Deflated Blue US $7.11
|
| The Soccer Blog |
Pro-anorexia Websites on the Rise
In a recent study performed by Optenet, a leader in providing Internet security solutions, researchers have found that the number of websites promoting anorexia and bulimia has increased by 470%, just since 2006.
Overall, Internet content is increasing and more and more websites are being created every day at a rapid pace. Much of the increase is a result of the overwhelming popularity of blogs and other kinds of personal websites. In the study, Optenet found significant increases among many problematic types of content including violence, pornography and drugs. But the most profound increase was found among the pro-anorexia and bulimia web sites.
This is highly concerning for many reasons. First, there is an increase in awareness of the warning signs and dangers of anorexia among young girls and teenagers. But unfortunately, the awareness may not be contributing to combating and reducing the problem. Further, the Internet lends itself to effectively distributing educational information and awareness about the problem. However, at the same time, the Internet is being used as a platform to provide support to anorexics and bulimics in their efforts to maintain their disorder, avoid detection and reject treatment. Girls, teens and women suffering from anorexia and bulimia are easily finding one another online, forming friendships and groups and helping one another to hide their problem and to maintain the discipline it requires.
As horrific as it might sound, more and more (mostly) teenage girls are finding one another online and helping each other to starve themselves to death. Some sites are forums, started by teenagers obsessed with staying thin. Some are blogs that serve as journals where a teenager with anorexia may record her daily intake, her struggles not to eat, etc. and meanwhile, she receives reactions and responses from her readers, in most cases, supporting her efforts to hurt herself.
While no one will argue that the Internet is a cause of anorexia and bulimia, it is reasonable to assert that it contributes to the determination of girls and provides them with support that is highly detrimental to their well-being. Girls looking for weight loss help may end up on anorexia support sites and be unable to resist the temptation to read and be influenced by the preponderance of negative influences available online. Teens that feel they can not tell anyone about their problem will go looking for help online and instead of fighting help towards a cure, may fall into the traps of the support groups for maintaining the illness. A kind of secret, underground society has sprouted up online and there is virtually nothing to do about it. But parents must be taking action and should be aware of what their young children and their teenagers are doing online.
Parental controls can be an easy way for parents to discover a problem such as anorexia. A web filter is a good ongoing method for parents to see what their children are doing on the Internet. Pro Anorexia websites should be blocked from any child that could be at risk of an eating disorder.
About the Author
WebWhile is an Israel based Internet marketing consultant firm with a special orientation to achieving results. For information about how we help companies reach their online goals using SEO, online campaigns, guerilla marketing, online business development and more, visit us online.
Do you think peta pro girls obsession with not eating meat includes...?
tube steak?
She is starting to defiantly serve up a large portion of irritation.
