What are Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia sites?
The Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia sites that we’re talking about sites that ACTIVELY PROMOTE eating disorders as a “lifestyle choice”, a “way of life” or a “religion”. They’re not any of these things they are mental illnesses that can kill if not treated. Pro-ana sites, short for pro-anorexia, and Pro-Mia sites, short for pro-bulimia, contain tips on how to hide the mental illnesses from friends and family, pictures of dying girls (called “thinspiration” – to encourage sufferers to become dangerously thin), claims that fasting ‘detoxs’ your body, ways to punish yourself for eating and prayers to “Ana”, aka anorexia. All this amongst other things. The disturbing reality is that anyone can access these, (though some sites do have a disclaimer warning that it’s adult content) and with more younger children than ever using the internet both at home and in schools, something needs to be done.
