My issue is the fact that there are hashtags permitted on Instagram about pro-anorexia, pro eating disorders, pro body harm, etc. and that accounts exist to support people. While I am sure that they as a team do not support any of this, as a social media outlet and as a big player in modern society, allowing such things like this to even be accessible on the website is shameful and, for lack of a better word, disgusting. Things like this only reinforce the mindset of one type of perfection (or really perfection at all).

Young men and women are constantly being bombarded with images of what the media says they should look like, which is enough to drive someone to extreme measures. Having things like this accessible, especially on such an influential feature, is only furthering the issue.

The Terms pages says that users must follow the laws of their governing countries/states/etc. I realize that starving yourself is not illegal, but we can all recognize that it is a slow process of committing suicide and that an act that severe is a mentally unstable one (albeit not an illegal one in all cases). People need help, they don't need encouragement for their harmful behaviours.

This isn't an issue of what is legal or what isn't; it's more important. In a time and country where issues such as these are coming to the surface, and companies/corporations are letting their views be known, it'd be nice to know that Instagram supports healthy habits and healthy lifestyle choices, ones that allow their users' lives to flourish to their fullest potential. I'm sure I don't only speak for myself, but as a woman it means a lot to me that a healthy and happy body image is a stance they're willing to take.

I'm asking Instagram to please take down those tags and contact the people in charge of the respective accounts to encourage that they seek treatment and psychological help, as needed.