{"id":308302,"date":"2021-07-26T14:42:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T11:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching\/"},"modified":"2021-07-26T14:42:25","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T11:42:25","slug":"sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"#Sexual predators are targeting vulnerable teens through online \u2018anorexia coaching\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a306d9a872a0\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a306d9a872a0\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching\/#Targeting_teens\" >Targeting teens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching\/#Social_media_provides_the_platform\" >Social media provides the platform<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/sexual-predators-are-targeting-vulnerable-teens-through-online-anorexia-coaching\/#What_is_being_done\" >What is being done?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Sexual predators are targeting vulnerable teens through online \u2018anorexia coaching\u2019<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>There\u2019s no shortage of people online looking to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable among us. One such group is anorexia coaches, or \u201canacoaches\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>They are typically middle-aged, male sexual predators who go online to find impressionable young people to exploit under the guise of providing weight-loss \u201ccoaching\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>I have been researching how anacoaches operate. I\u2019ve found they are facilitated by flaws within <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a> algorithms, as well as large numbers of young people seeking weight-loss help online.<\/p>\n<p>My ongoing research, coupled with other media reports, indicates an opportunity for <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2019\/mar\/01\/anorexia-coaches-kik-app-prey-eating-disorders\">anacoaches<\/a> has risen in the past few years. My analysis showed that on Twitter alone there are about 300 unique requests for anacoaches around the world daily.<\/p>\n<p>Anacoaches operate on numerous channels, including established social platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, Tumblr, and Kik. Despite this, these platforms haven\u2019t addressed the problem.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361898 js-lazy\" alt=\"Tumblr\" width=\"400\" height=\"671\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-125x210.jpeg 125w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-161x270.jpeg 161w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-80x135.jpeg 80w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361898\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1.jpeg\" alt=\"Tumblr\" width=\"400\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-125x210.jpeg 125w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-161x270.jpeg 161w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi1-80x135.jpeg 80w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Targeting_teens\"><\/span>Targeting teens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www2.deloitte.com\/au\/en\/pages\/economics\/articles\/butterfly-report-paying-price-eating-disorders.html\">estimated 4% of Australians<\/a>, or roughly one million people, are affected by eating disorders. And almost two-thirds (63%) of these people are thought to be female.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-right \"><figcaption\/><\/figure>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/headtopics.com\/uk\/how-anorexic-kids-as-young-as-thirteen-are-targeted-by-anacoach-trolls-who-force-them-to-starve-th-5579246\">Teenagers<\/a> with eating disorders are more likely to experience poor mental health and impaired functioning in social environments \u2014 which leaves them more vulnerable to the influence of anacoaches.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361899 js-lazy\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"384\" height=\"811\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-99x210.jpeg 99w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-128x270.jpeg 128w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-64x135.jpeg 64w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361899\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2.jpeg\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"384\" height=\"811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-99x210.jpeg 99w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-128x270.jpeg 128w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi2-64x135.jpeg 64w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Also, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S019074092032082X\">research<\/a> has <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2017.01351\/full\">shown<\/a> social media use can exacerbate the extent to which teenagers and young adults chase a \u201cthin\u201d ideal.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hetckm.nl\/nieuws-en-publicaties\/pro-ana-coaches-maken-bewust-misbruik-van-meisjes-met-eetstoornis\/1\">One study<\/a> published by a Dutch human rights <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dutchnews.nl\/news\/2019\/05\/researchers-raise-the-alarm-about-predatory-anorexia-coaches\/\">law group<\/a> on the predatory behaviors of anacoaches found self-reporting victims had been sexually assaulted and even raped.<\/p>\n<p>And with anacoaching comes the potential for other forms of criminal abuse, such as pedophilia, forced prostitution, and even human trafficking.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_media_provides_the_platform\"><\/span>Social media provides the platform<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With the rise of online platforms, there has been an emergence of communities pursuing a thin ideal. These networks tend to share content that endorses extreme thinness.<\/p>\n<p>Group identity is formed through interactions and hashtag sharing, with a focus on terms used regularly in the context of eating disorders. Common hashtags include #proana (pro-anorexia), #bonespo (bone inspiration), #edtw (eating disorder trigger warning), #promia (pro bulimia), #bulimia, #thighgap, #uw (ultimate weight), #cw (current weight), #gw (goal weight) and #tw (trigger warning).<\/p>\n<p>As highlighted in my previous <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mental.jmir.org\/2021\/7\/e24340\/\">research<\/a>, communication in these communities includes exchanging weight-loss tips, diet plans, extreme exercise plans, imagery of thin bodies, and emotional \u201csupport\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Anacoaches lurk in chat forums focused on thin ideals. Each coach will tend to be present in numerous chatrooms, luring teenagers with stories of their past \u201csuccesses\u201d from coaching.<\/p>\n<p>They market themselves with dubious claims. Some will assign themselves labels such as \u201cstrict coach\u201d or \u201cmean coach\u201d. The screenshots below show messages posted on the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a> Kik.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361901 js-lazy\" alt=\"Kik\" width=\"600\" height=\"282\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-280x132.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-540x254.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-270x127.jpeg 270w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361901\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3.jpeg\" alt=\"Kik\" width=\"600\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-280x132.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-540x254.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi3-270x127.jpeg 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361902 js-lazy\" alt=\"Kik\" width=\"600\" height=\"201\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-280x94.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-540x181.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-270x90.jpeg 270w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361902\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4.jpeg\" alt=\"Kik\" width=\"600\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-280x94.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-540x181.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/Syndi4-270x90.jpeg 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The coaching predominantly involves sharing pictures and videos for nude body checks (or in undergarments), weekly weigh-ins, and enforcing strict rules on what foods to eat and avoid.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s currently no way to know how long coaching lasts on average, the harms are extensive. Because of the way its content algorithms work, TikTok, which has a massive young following, will start to recommend user accounts centered around eating disorders once such content is initially sought.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px\">There are currently not enough regulations in place by platforms to prevent anacoaches from operating, despite an array of reports highlighting the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361903 js-lazy\" alt=\"screenshot\" width=\"600\" height=\"391\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-280x182.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-414x270.jpeg 414w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-207x135.jpeg 207w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361903\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5.jpeg\" alt=\"screenshot\" width=\"600\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-280x182.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-414x270.jpeg 414w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi5-207x135.jpeg 207w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_being_done\"><\/span>What is being done?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Best efforts so far <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmodo.com\/instagram-tiktok-and-pinterest-add-support-features-to-1846331651\">have involved<\/a> Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest filtering out selected words such as \u201cproana\u201d or \u201cthinspo\u201d and banning searches for content that promotes extreme thinness.<\/p>\n<p>A TikTok spokesperson told The Conversation the platform does not allow content depicting, promoting, or glorifying eating disorders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361904 js-lazy\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"408\" height=\"861\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-99x210.jpeg 99w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-128x270.jpeg 128w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-64x135.jpeg 64w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361904\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6.jpeg\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"408\" height=\"861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-99x210.jpeg 99w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-128x270.jpeg 128w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi6-64x135.jpeg 64w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWhen a user searches for terms related to eating disorders, we don\u2019t return results and instead we direct them to the Butterfly Foundation and provide them with helpful and appropriate advice. We\u2019ve also introduced permanent public service announcements (PSAs) on related hashtags to help provide support for our community,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361905 js-lazy\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"367\" height=\"459\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 367px) 100vw, 367px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-168x210.jpeg 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-216x270.jpeg 216w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-108x135.jpeg 108w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1361905\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7.jpeg\" alt=\"Tik Tok\" width=\"367\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-168x210.jpeg 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-216x270.jpeg 216w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi7-108x135.jpeg 108w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>The spokesperson said accounts found to be engaging in sexual harassment may be banned. Platforms will ban users if they violate user guidelines, but anacoaches will <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mental.jmir.org\/2021\/7\/e24340\/\">often reappear<\/a> under a new account name.<\/p>\n<p>According to Twitter, evading account bans is against the rules. Earlier this year Twitter announced it would enable a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/2\/25\/22301388\/twitter-auto-block-mute-abusive-accounts-safety-mode\">safety mode<\/a> that will allow users to turn on the proactive screening of spammy and abusive content. It remains to be seen what role this will play in curbing targeted attacks from anacoaches.<\/p>\n<p>A <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/5rightsfoundation.com\/uploads\/Pathways-how-digital-design-puts-children-at-risk.pdf\">research-based report<\/a> released this month by the 5Rights Foundation has detailed how minors online are targeted with sexual and suicide-related content. It references platforms including Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, Twitch, Yubo, YouTube, and Omegle.<\/p>\n<p>The research showed children as young as 13 are directly targeted with harmful content online within 24 hours of creating an account online. They may receive unsolicited messages from adults offering pornography, as well as recommendations for eating disorder content, extreme diets, self-harm, suicide, and sexualized or distorted body images.<\/p>\n<p>Australia\u2019s policies involving platforms need to be overhauled to ensure platforms adhere to community guidelines and are held accountable when violations occur.<\/p>\n<p>The government should prescribe set rules, informed by the eSafety office, regarding how vulnerable youth online should be helped.<\/p>\n<p>A nuanced intervention approach would generate better outcomes for users with eating disorders as each user would have a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mental.jmir.org\/2021\/7\/e24340\/\">different set<\/a> of circumstances and a different mental health state.<\/p>\n<p>Anacoaches on social media should be considered and dealt with like criminals. And platforms that fail to uphold this should face fines for failing to provide a safe user environment for the vulnerable.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, the European Union <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/technology-45495544\">has fined<\/a> platforms for allowing terrorist content. Social media giants have also hired contract workers to screen content for examples of terrorism, pedophilia, and abuse. This effort should be extended to include anacoaches.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361907 js-lazy\" alt=\"Screenshot\" width=\"600\" height=\"246\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-280x115.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-540x221.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-270x111.jpeg 270w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Author Provided<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361907\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10.jpeg\" alt=\"Screenshot\" width=\"600\" height=\"246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-280x115.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-540x221.jpeg 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/syndi10-270x111.jpeg 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>The Conversation approached Tumblr for comment but did not receive replies within the deadline allocated. Popular messaging app Kik was <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2019\/10\/19\/medialab-kik-messenger-app-portfolio\/\">acquired by<\/a> MediaLab in 2019. The Conversation approached MediaLab for comment but did not receive a response within the allocated time frame.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important;margin: 0 !important;max-height: 1px !important;max-width: 1px !important;min-height: 1px !important;min-width: 1px !important;padding: 0 !important\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/162938\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important;margin: 0 !important;max-height: 1px !important;max-width: 1px !important;min-height: 1px !important;min-width: 1px !important;padding: 0 !important\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/162938\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p><em>Article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/suku-sukunesan-119546\">Suku Sukunesan<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/swinburne-university-of-technology-767\">Swinburne University of Technology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/anorexia-coach-sexual-predators-online-are-targeting-teens-wanting-to-lose-weight-platforms-are-looking-the-other-way-162938\">original article<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.net\/embed\/iframe\/xo23fcyip6?videoFoam=true&amp;autoPlay=true\" title=\"Whats it like to be a startup founder in Barcelona? Video\" allowtransparency=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wistia_embed\" name=\"wistia_embed\" allowfullscreen=\"\" msallowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/sexual-predators-vulnerable-teens-anorexia-coaching-syndication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Sexual predators are targeting vulnerable teens through online \u2018anorexia coaching\u2019&#8221; There\u2019s no shortage of people online looking to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable among us. One such group is anorexia coaches, or \u201canacoaches\u201d. They are typically middle-aged, male sexual predators who go online to find impressionable young people to exploit under the guise of providing&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":308303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/07\/shutterstock_627623021-sad-teenager-smartphone-hed.jpg&signature=55b8218c2d7b6535b867b9e741d4eb11","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-308302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=308302"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308302\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/308303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=308302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=308302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=308302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}