Tumblr Terror

Gone are the days when we rely most heavily on health classes to learn about health -related topics like depression, suicide, eating disorders, or other serious issues that can inflict self-harm.  Now we rely on the Internet through social media and other sites like Tumblr to get the majority of our information, especially on personal topics like these.  These sites have come to frame the way we think about just about everything, even serious topics like depression and how to cope with it. Subjects that were once touchy, unspoken, and taboo to discuss in public are now flaunted in satirical images on many sites. 
           

Due to this recent influx in insensitivy, sites like Tumblr are trying to prevent or at least monitor the types of messages and images that are displayed on their sites, particularly ones that could encourage self-harm. A site that formerly allowed for complete freedom of speech, Tumblr is making some policy changes. Before anyone could post whatever theywant on their website, whether that be a deep and inspiring quote by the lovely Audrey Hepburn, a sunset silhouetting over a beach scene, or even a black and white photograph of a girl expressing thoughts about killing herself.

Tumblr recently published their decision to ban blogs that post any type of theme associated with self-harm. The staff announced, “Don’t post content that actively promotes or glorifies self-injury or self-harm. This includes content that urges or encourages readers to cut or mutilate themselves; embrace anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders; or commit suicide rather than, e.g., seek counseling or treatment for depression or other disorders”.

This triggers yet another conflict though: what exactly can and cannot be blogged about. The Tumblr staff tried to clear up this gray area by announcing, “…joking that you need to starve yourself after Thanksgiving or that you wanted to kill yourself after a humiliating date is fine, but recommending techniques for self-starvation or self-mutilation is not”.

To many users this ban will relieve their fears of tumbling across unwanted disturbing images while they attempt to find simple, picturesuqe pictures of beach scenes. However, there will undoubtedly be others who oppose this ban. Those who are not in favor argue that this ban is a violation of freedom of speech and that this type of censorship is unnecessary for public blogging sites. Many feel that online users who wish not to see the darker blogs should simply avoid those pages. Yet, this can become a difficult task for frequent users.
           
Sometimes even blogs that appear carefree and harmless can have posts that contain harmful messages scattered throughout the archives of hundreds of  submitted posts. This makes it difficult to pinpoint which blogs are just for fun and which ones have posts mentioning depressing thoughts or containing disturbing images that glorify self-harm.

Tumblr is also attempting to provide healthy options for users who may be battling depression. When users search for blogs with self-harm photos that often promote and glorify unhealthy behavior, Tumblr will provide an annoucement with facts, as well as a hotline people can call if they are dealing with depression, eating disorders, or simply feeling sad. It seems Tumblr hopes this will decrease the amount of users searching for photos and blogs on self-hard by providing them with knowledge that can be used to find a healthier, happier solution to any issues they may be facing.
           
Tumblr is an easy and fun way to find cute pictures that often encourage a positive outlook on life. However, it is frustrating for me personally when something comes up unexpectedly that deals with depressing notions and suicidal thoughts, especially when I wasn’t even searching for anything relevant to those themes. Hopefully, sometime in the future it will be much easier to just find cheerful messages on Tumblr. The site has done users a great favor by promoting good health and supporting those battling depressive thoughts through positive reinforcement and uplifting images.