Risks and Threats of Social Media Websites: Twitter and the Proana Movement

Bert, Fabrizio; Gualano, Maria Rosaria; Camussi, Elisa; Siliquini, Roberta

doi:10.1089/cyber.2015.0553

Cited by 65 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…In our analysis, we found that pro-ana websites represented approximately one-third of the online material. This finding can be compared with that obtained by a research carried out in Italy by Bert and collaborators 30. They systematically retrieved 341 “pro-ana” Twitter accounts and analyzed them in terms of number of followers (mean followers 2360.9, range 5–32,700), tweets (mean tweets: 4351.2, range: 5–85,700), and biographical information of the users (97.9% girls, mean age 17.9 years, range 12–28 years).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

Bragazzi

Prasso

et al. 2019

RMHP

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Objective Internet represents a major source of information related to health issues, increasingly used by providers. Indeed, there are numerous websites concerning eating and weight disorders, such as anorexia nervosa. The aim of the current investigation was to systematically perform a reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites. Methods Reliability of the anorexia nervosa website pages was assessed using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct Standards (HonCode ® ) certification mark. A comprehensive content analysis (thematic cluster analysis, correspondence analysis of emerging themes and topics, density and degree-centrality analysis, and co-word analysis) was performed using the commercial software T-Lab. Results 402 unique website pages were included and analyzed in the current study. Statistically significant differences related to the accomplishment or less to the items of the HonCode ® certificate mark were found for all items, except for confidentiality and webmaster/additional contact. From the thematic cluster analysis, four clusters were identified: namely, treatment (26.6%), vomiting (24.7%), weight (24.4%) and onset-age (24.3%). Treatment (in particular, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy) was the most represented theme (with a frequency of 97.76%, recurring in 393 websites). Pro-ana content characterized 147 website pages (with a frequency of 36.57%). Conclusion The quality of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites was rather moderate-poor, being generally inconsistent with the principles of the HonCode ® certification mark. Therefore, physicians and health authorities should be aware of such findings to provide their patients with proper answers and education.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

Bragazzi

Prasso

et al. 2019

RMHP

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“…In recent years, groups supporting anorexia nervosa in several ways (endorsement and promotion of dysfunctional eating behavior, maintenance of the disorder, and interference with recovery) have been spreading across social media platforms. The dynamics of the Proana Movement, which promotes behaviors relating to anorexia nervosa, have been examined using Twitter, finding that adhering people and/or promoters were almost totally teenage girls (31). In the midst of the factors mediating the risk to develop body dissatisfaction or EDs, one study focused on teenagers' offline social environment, finding that a positive mother-adolescent relationship can exert a protective function against the adverse effects of social media usage on body perception (50).…”

Section: Presentation Of Eating Disorders On Social Media Platformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media Usage and Development of Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review

et al. 2021

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Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, are now part of almost everyone's social life, especially for the newer generations. Children and teenagers grew up together with these Internet-based services, which have become an integral part of their personal and social life. However, as reported in various studies, psychological and psychiatric problems are sometimes associated with problematic usage of social media. The primary purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the cognitive, psychological, and social outcomes correlated with a problematic use of social media sites during the developmental stages, from age 10 to 19 years. With a specific focus on depression, anxiety, eating, and neurodevelopmental disorders, the review also discusses evidence related to genetic and neurobiological issues, together with the implications in clinical work and future directions under a multidisciplinary perspective. While the scientific community has made significant progress in enhancing our understanding of the impact of social media on teenagers' lives, more research integrating biological and environmental factors is required to fully elucidate the development of these disorders.

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“…Several reasons that are not mutually exclusive may explain this finding. First, Twitter has a policy of excluding pro-ana content [ 32 ]. Second, the pro-ana community may communicate through other web-based means, such as pro-ana websites [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Disorder Awareness Campaigns: Thematic and Quantitative Analysis Using Twitter

Viguria¹,

Álvarez-Mon²,

Llavero-Valero³

et al. 2020

J Med Internet Res

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Background Health awareness initiatives are frequent but their efficacy is a matter of controversy. We have investigated the effect of the Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Wake Up Weight Watchers campaigns on Twitter. Objective We aimed to examine whether the Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Wake Up Weight Watchers initiatives increased the volume and dissemination of Twitter conversations related to eating disorders and investigate what content generates the most interest on Twitter. Methods Over a period of 12 consecutive days in 2018, we collected tweets containing the hashtag #wakeupweightwatchers and hashtags related to Eating Disorder Awareness Week (#eatingdisorderawarenessweek, #eatingdisorderawareness, or #EDAW), with the hashtag #eatingdisorder as a control. The content of each tweet was rated as medical, testimony, help offer, awareness, pro-ana, or anti-ana. We analyzed the number of retweets and favorites generated, as well as the potential reach and impact of the hashtags and the characteristics of contributors. Results The number of #wakeupweightwatchers tweets was higher than that of Eating Disorder Awareness Week and #eatingdisorder tweets (3900, 2056, and 1057, respectively). The content of tweets was significantly different between the hashtags analyzed (P<.001). Medical content was lower in the awareness campaigns. Awareness and help offer content were lower in #wakeupweightwatchers tweets. Retweet and favorite ratios were highest in #wakeupweightwatchers tweets. Eating Disorder Awareness Week achieved the highest impact, and very influential contributors participated. Conclusions Both awareness campaigns effectively promoted tweeting about eating disorders. The majority of tweets did not promote any specific preventive or help-seeking behaviors.

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Risks and Threats of Social Media Websites: Twitter and the Proana Movement

Cited by 65 publications

References 32 publications

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

Social Media Usage and Development of Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review

Eating Disorder Awareness Campaigns: Thematic and Quantitative Analysis Using Twitter

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