It seems CNN has gotten wind of a story that others have been aware of for some time: the existence of pro-anorexia, or "pro-ana" (and "pro-mia," for pro-bulimia), Web sites that "support" girls in starving or purging themselves. (To see the video report, search under "videos" at CNN.com or watch it at YouTube.) These sites offer explict instructions -- even elaborate rituals -- for denying oneself food; photos of superskinny models and celebs for "thinspiration"; and twisted maxims such as "Anorexia is a lifestyle, not a disease."
The Broadsheet reader who tipped us off to this latest report was shocked to learn about such sites -- and concerned that coverage of them could, perhaps, increase their readership. "Knowledge is power and all that, sure," she wrote in an e-mail, "but how many girls on the cusp of an eating disorder discovered this because of stories on a national news outlet? Does the potential benefit of head-on dialogue outweigh the potential negativity of legitimizing them with publicity?"
My personal sense is that the press has a responsibility to cover such issues -- responsibly. (And that "national news outlets" are not the only sources of such info; put an eating-disorder-prone teen within 10 feet of Google and she'll find these sites in a heartbeat.) I mean, was last week's Broadsheet story about tweens online in bikinis just free press for those shady "child model" sites? I think not. But does "responsibly" mean that the CNN story should also mention, say, a Web site that can offer real help to teens who might be watching? Or offer more about what parents can do? What do you think?
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