In addition to its ban, Tumblr will show public service announcements on search results for related keywords -- a link to the National Eating Disorder Helpline, for example.

Tumblr plans on implementing these policies next week: "If you are found to be in violation of any of the below policies, you will receive a notice via email. Unless you explain or correct your behavior within 72 hours, your account will be suspended." Some people do not approve. From one angry Tumblrer:

I just want everyone who supports tumblrs new policy to realize what Tumblr perceives as a "problem" and what they believe is the "proper way to handle it" Have a legitimate issue and use tumblr as a way to vent and talk about? Tumblr: WOAH NO! That’s disgusting and wrong. We best ban you, cause that SURE WILL help you get better.

Others have joined in, calling the policy censorship and a worthless way to "help" people who use these sites as a way to vent. They may have something of a point. But, sadly, given the lengthy history of such content on the Internet, we imagine these folks will simply migrate to another easy-to-use, trendy forum. Pinterest, perhaps?

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

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