The worrying rise in digital self-harm among young people

A growing number of teenagers are engaging in digital self-harm, a practice that consists of anonymously posting or sharing hurtful content about themselves online, a US research shows. Girls and non-heterosexual young people were found to be significantly more likely to engage in this behavior

Published in the Journal of School Violence, this study, conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, analyzed data from three independent national surveys conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2021, involving American teenagers aged 13 to 17.

The researchers explored two behaviors that allowed them to measure digital self-harm: “if teens had anonymously posted something mean about themselves online in their lifetime and if they had anonymously cyberbullied themselves online in their lifetime,” they explain in a news release.

Unlike cyberbullying, where the abuse is directed at others, digital self-harm involves teenagers posting harmful content about themselves on social networks. The results of this research suggest that this form of self-directed abuse, facilitated by online anonymity, is on the rise. 

This phenomenon, which was first identified in 2010, appears to be affecting more and more young people: between 2019 and 2021, 9 to 12% of American teenagers engaged in this behavior, compared to 6.3% in 2016, an increase of over 88%.

“This upward trajectory, particularly among specific demographic groups, highlights the need for targeted interventions and support systems — especially given that research has shown a strong association between digital self-harm and traditional self-harm, as well as between digital self-harm and suicidality,” the researchers explain.

Indeed, the data collected show that certain groups of teenagers are more vulnerable to this behavior: those from racial minorities, young women and non-heterosexual young people were found to be significantly more likely to engage in digital self-harm.

“Digital self-harm has been linked with major issues such as bullying, depression, eating disorders, physical harm, sleep disturbances and even suicidal tendencies,” explains study coauthor, Sameer Hinduja.

The motivations driving this behavior vary, but can include self-hatred, attention-seeking, the desire to look cool, dark humor, or a cry for help. In fact, digital self-harm is similar to other forms of self-harm, only the medium differs.

“It’s also crucial to understand why young people engage in digital self-harm and help them develop healthier coping mechanisms,” says Sameer Hinduja.

“Moreover, it’s essential that parents, educators and mental health professionals working with young people extend support to all targets of online abuse in informal and conversational, as well as formal and clinical settings.”