Millennials are growing up in a time where an online community exists for virtually every interest and lifestyle. They can connect with other people who love chewing ice, other alpaca enthusiasts or people who really, really like pirates.

Some Gen Y-ers are forming communities to celebrate anorexia (pro-ana websites). Pro-ana people have even coined their own buzzword for the lifestyle, calling it thinspiration (thinspo for short). Videos are shared on YouTube, blogs are plentiful and discussion forums are only a search away.

I was amazed when I came across the NYT blog linked above. In previous generations, pro-ana people could not assemble so easily and empower themselves. Today, they can gather online and have open and honest dialogues with each other. Parents and guidance counselors be damned, they have found people who like them and understand them. Together, they can celebrate their lifestyle proudly.

I like how pro-anas can share their experiences and advice to help each other. The part that scares me is that oftentimes this advice is how to harm yourself quicker and easier.

With great power comes great responsibility.

photo from [C]appry