Social media outlets have inherited the fat-shaming behaviors found in mass media, evident by the prevalent widespread "thinspiration" messages that have become routine online. An "underground world" that focuses on pushing young women to strive for perfection, or rather, "starve for perfection," these messages endorse eating disorders.

Photos of emaciated limbs and pronounced ribs live beside texts that says "#thinspiration," "#thinspo" or "#ana."The movement moves against "body positivity," which demands the acceptance of your body and others -- flaws and all -- and advocates for body dysmorphia.

Demi Lovato, Jessica Alba, Mexican actress Anahí, and Rocsi Diaz have been vocal about eating disorders in the past, each publicly sharing personal stories about bulimia, exercise addictions, diet pill consumption and restricted eating, just to see the numbers on the scale plummet. Those women struggled, battled the mindset that physical beauty means that one has to look like a wafer and shared that message with fans. Nonetheless, new pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia trends have erupted online, often on Turmblr and Instagram.

Eating disorders discussed often enough in relation to the Latino community. Though a rather uncharted conversation, the issue is real, and affects a great deal of the population. Research has been done that has shown that eating disorders and body image concerns affect Latinas at a rate comparable to or greater than non-Latina whites. These disorders are often related acculturation and a need to "fit in."

"If you look at the research literature, the perception is not well-founded," says Deb Franko, professor of counseling & applied educational psychology and associate dean at Northeastern University. "The messages from their families that larger bodies are beautiful are bumping against a more Caucasian white culture that promotes a thin body ideal."

These so-called "pro-ana" and "pro-mia" website often have a Latino following, and makes the "self-hate" material and support accessible. Instagram and Tumblr have implemented new guidelines that prohibit content that "promotes or glorifies self-harm," yet the posts continue, and social media users have found ways to sidestep guidelines by creating alternative tags for their content.

The National Eating Disorders Association has stated that 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. And, the internet has long acted as an aid for those struggling against self-harming behavior, though posts encouraging starvation and purging are not uncommon. Then the need for more positive messages becomes more apparent. There is a quiet demand for more valuable and helpful information for young Latinos to turn, to let them know that they aren't struggling alone.

The efforts and availability of social spaces such as Proud2BMe.org, an online community connected with the National Eating Disorders Association, is commendable, but should be better advertised so that young people feel support when they struggle with stress and anxieties.

When insecurities are triggered online through various channels, this can lead to risky behaviors and thoughts of suicide. Access to networks that link young people to support can make the difference between life and death and keep hundreds of young men and women from doing self-damaging acts, and promoting dangerous behavior in others.

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