Don't get the message: the effect of a warning text before visiting a proanorexia website.

C. Martijn*, E. Smeets, A.T.M. Jansen, N. Hoeymans, C. Schoemaker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effect of the placement of a warning text before visiting proanorexia websites on actual access of these websites. Method: A separate webpage with a warning text aiming at first-time visitors was placed before each proanorexia website hosted by a Dutch Internet provider. During the research period of 1 year, the numbers of hits at the warning webpage were registered together with the numbers of hits at the underlying proanorexia website. Results: Of the total number of hits registered at the warning webpage, about two-third of the visitors were registered at the underlying proanorexia website. This indicates that about one-third of the visitors did not continue their visit to a proanorexia website after being exposed to the warning text. Discussion: Placement of a warning text before proanorexia websites appears a promising strategy in holding back potential visitors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-145
JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

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