In 2012, Instagram and other social networking sites like Twitter banned hashtags, including “#selfharm”. This community uploaded photos with the tags “thinspo”, “anorexia”, “bulimia”, and “self-harm”. Users displayed extremely skinny women, bloody wrists and arms, and pictures of self-loathing to the public. However this “thinspo” society has found ways around the restrictions by using their own hashtags with little meaning.

The term “thinspo” refers to “thinspiration”. Those who are “thinspired” post about extremely skinny body images, far below a “healthy” weight.

Instagram said they have banned, “accounts, images, or hashtags dedicated to glorifying, promoting, or encouraging self-harm,” in order to “maintain a positive and healthy community.” Their efforts highly reduced the number of users who posted pictures and statements about bad body images, but not for long. The new hashtags used by members of social networking sites have little meaning that would draw attention to themselves.

Mr. Roberts, SHS’s psychology teacher, said that, “Most studies point to it as an outcry for people to acknowledge their problem and to come to their aid.”

“People who post comments about themselves in such a way are most likely hoping someone will come in to ‘save’ them from what they are feeling,” he said. Many of  the comments on the pictures are from other users posting similar pictures who offer support or even encouragement of each other’s actions. Captions and comments include: “So much for staying strong…”, “I NEEDED to feel the pain! I couldn’t stop it…”, “1 like=1 hour of fasting.”

“In high school I didn’t even know a single person who was engaging in such activities, but I knew some kids were,” said Ms. Lopes SHS’s adjustment counselor, “but the use of social media allows these students an audience and allows it to be more openly discussed.”

The culture of posting self-harm photos goes farther than just hashtags. There is also a secret code amongst groups who are more focused on body image. They use different colored wristbands and bracelets to tell each other what stage of their eating deprivation they are at. Some colors mean fasting, some binge eating, some anorexia or bulimia. Others include self-injurer, obese/overweight, depressed, or even suicidal. The bracelets create a sense of community among the users, allowing them to come together in similar times of need.

Mr. Roberts said, “So many disorders go unacknowledged publicly that those who do make note of theirs are looking for help and guidance.” Whether this guidance comes from their friends and families, or strangers who are in similar situations, users are looking for someone who can acknowledge their struggles.

Ms. Lopes said, “You may think you’re being supportive by commenting on a post, but you really have no idea what kind of situation this person may be in or how far they are willing to go…this isn’t just in your school anymore, now you’re engaging in a whole open world and community.”

So were these social media sites in the right to ban hashtags? The effort was meant to protect other users of the sites from harmful images. Mr. Roberts said, “Out of sight out of mind makes the typical person feel better.  Is it worth it to make people without a problem feel better or to know who needs something addressed?”