The new popular social network which lets people ‘pin’ photos of their favourite items to a virtual pinboard has taken steps to stop users being able to search for content relating to eating disorders. As per their updated Acceptable Use Policy, the web portal has placed a ban on “ user content that…creates risk of harm, loss, physical or mental injury” in a direct move to curtain encouraging eating disorders.
With users being allowed to pin up and share just about any picture they like, the site has registered an increased popularity among those suffering with eating disorders, with them sharing photos of their favourite items, such an uneaten plate of food or very thin people.
With the base country, the United States, noted for a large community of unhealthy eaters and subsequent eating disorders, the portal has taken a proactive step to stop people from being able to search for such images, blacklisting a set of words pertaining to eating disorders, such as ‘thinspo’ (a term related to ‘thinspiration’ which glorifies unhealthy body images).
When people search the network using keywords specific to such disorders, they will receive zero results and instead be issued with the following warning: “Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, they are mental disorders that if left untreated can cause serious health problems or could even be life-threatening. For treatment referrals, information, and support, you can always contact the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.”
The average Pinterest US user falls within the age bracket of 35 to 44, while the average British member is 10 years younger. Pinterest’s user base however, overwhelmingly American though, with around 12 million members, as opposed to 200,000 in the Britain.
One way that the social networking service makes its money is by converting the pins into affiliate links with ecommerce sites. This means that if a user posts a picture of a shoe or a sofa that you are thinking of buying, Pinterest could add an affiliate link to a partner retailer so that the site gets a cut of any subsequent purchase.
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