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Tom Quinn, director of external affairs for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, said: “So-called ‘pro-ana’ or ‘pro-mia’ content can be very attractive to people affected by eating disorders and has the potential to be devastating.”

He said most "pro-ana" and "pro-mia" content was posted by people who were themselves suffering from an eating disorder, and was not deliberately malicious.

"Pro-ana" is a term used to describe content that promotes dangerous behaviours and mindsets related to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, and "pro-mia" promotes bulimia.

“So-called pro-ana and pro-mia content is widespread on social media and can be very harmful for people suffering from an eating disorder,” he said.

“There was this thing – like a secret sign to other girls that you were part of the pro-ana movement – a red bracelet with a butterfly on it. I found the bracelet the other day at my nan’s house.”