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...According to ANAD, Yahoo! hosts by far the most pro-anorexia sites of any web portal. Searching for "anorexia" on the home page produces pages of results; some are pro-recovery, but many others promote the cycle of starvation. The portal?s predominance has not gone unnoticed by mental health advocates...
...July 26, citing Yahoo!?s ability to take down any site they choose, as well as the company?s self-described commitment to the safety of adolescents and children, ANAD asked Terry Semel, the portal?s CEO, to remove the pro-anorexia sites from its server. "The fact is that most people who become anorexic first experience symptoms before they are eighteen," says ANAD vice president Christopher Athas. "Yahoo! claims to be interested in the health and welfare of children? Here?s a good chance to prove...
...response surprised even ANAD. By Monday, July 30th, 21 of Yahoo!?s estimated 115 pro-anorexia sites had been taken down. While no one at ANAD is willing to link the action directly to their letter of complaint, organization leaders sent off a note thanking Semel for his quick action...
...Yahoo! sees things a bit differently. "The removal of the sites was definitely not a reaction to the ANAD request," a company spokesperson said Tuesday. She went on to explain the "long-standing terms of service" at Yahoo!, and outlined the consequences for anyone who violates them (which pro-anorexic sites certainly seem to do). "Content with the sole purpose of creating harm or inciting hate is brought to our attention, we evaluate it, and in extreme cases, remove it, as that is a violation of our terms of service...
...Whatever the impetus, the sites? removal was a victory for ANAD, but it hardly signals the end of its crusade. The next step, says Athas, goes straight to the heart of the problem: The sites? authors themselves, most of who seem to be enthusiastic anorexics. "We?re planning to go to the sites and ask the creators to take them down," Athas says. That task - which will force ANAD educators to confront anorexics? infamous defensive talents - is not expected to be easy, or even particularly productive, adds Athas. "Most everyone has told us it will be a waste...