We've seen how media has been used to disperse negative messages to many audiences around the world. But if it can be used to spread negativity, can we counter it by using the Internet to spread positive messages? Many health websites have sought to do just that. The National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders as well as the National Eating Disorders Association are two examples of organizations that have used the Internet to help spread awareness and offer help to girls who may be drowning in the negative media messages.
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Advertisements like the one on the right are an effective use of media to spread the message that help is available for those struggling with eating disorders.
Looking for help? Visit these sites for more information.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/who-we-are http://www.anad.org/eating-disorders-get-help/ |
Another way that media is used to reverse the damage of negative messages is with forum sites on the Internet for recovering women and girls with eating disorders. Similar to the appeal of Pro-Ana groups, these sites offer a community to those who may be struggling alone. They offer sites to read others' stories, write about individual struggles and find help immediately. In this way, the media that may have once fed these girls harmful material will now provide them with support and help pave the way to recovery.
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