Pro-ana sites 'should be censored'

Category: Internet Trends

February 25th 08, 11:30

Websites that promote eating disorders should be banned, according to campaigners.

Sites and forums encouraging dangerous dietary habits - known as pro-ana or pro-mia sites - are not being adequately dealt with, doctors and charities claim.

To coincide with the start of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, MP for Cheadle Mark Hunter is calling for social networking sites and internet service providers to be proactive in discouraging such activity on the web.

Mr Hunter said: "These websites are truly despicable and only help to reinforce the myth that having an eating disorder isn't a problem."

A spokesperson for social networking site Facebook told the BBC that the way to tackle such online content was not to censor it.

"Many Facebook groups relate to controversial topics; this alone is not a reason to disable a group," said the representative.

Meanwhile, the government recently warned that ISPs would be regulated if they did not work harder to curtail illegal downloading.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.


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