Self-harm content
Also known as:
- self-harming content
- self-injury content
- pro-self-harm content
- self-injurious behaviour (SIB)
- non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
Self-harm is when somebody deliberately injures themselves without suicidal intent.
Self-harm can refer to many behaviours. These include:
- cutting
- under-eating
- picking or scratching skin
- burning or scalding
- having unsafe sex
- excessively exercising
- pulling hair
- hitting walls
- abusing drugs or alcohol
Self-harm content shows or documents these behaviours. This content can involve:
- graphic images of cuts, bruises, or burns
- personal accounts of self-harm
- links to communities of people who self-harm
- instructions or methods on how to self-harm
- messages sharing feelings like hopelessness or despair
- memorial pages for victims of suicide
Self-harm content can be seen in many online spaces. These include:
- forums
- social media platforms
- message boards
- gaming sites
- video-sharing sites
Young people might come across self-harm content accidentally. Social media and video streaming algorithms might also recommend self-harm content.
Not all self-harm content encourages the practice. Some content will be positive. For example, stories of hope, posts raising awareness, or messages about seeking help.
A young person may identify with someone depicted in self-harm content. This can mean they might be more susceptible to trying self-harming behaviours.
Some content can be ‘legal but harmful’. According to the NSPCC, this is content that is “legal to create and view” but which has a “high risk of causing physical or psychological damage or injury”.
Legal but harmful content might not technically violate a platform’s community standards. As a result, it might not be removed when reported by a user.
Risks and motivations
Risks
Recommended content
Many social media and video streaming platforms are designed to predict content that a user might enjoy. Someone engaging with self-harm content may see more over time.
It is against the law for platforms to host content that promotes self-harm in the UK.
Some content can be ‘legal but harmful’. According to the NSPCC, this is content that is “legal to create and view” but which has a “high risk of causing physical or psychological damage or injury”. As a result, it might not be removed when reported by a user.
Mental health and wellbeing
Some online experiences can make existing mental health conditions worse. For example, someone suffering from an eating disorder may see extreme content.
Avoiding professional help
Some mental health conditions require help or support from professional, qualified services. This might include helplines, or therapy and counselling services.
Over-reliance on online self-harm content may mean that an individual in need of help does not get the support they need. Content can easily be created and posted by someone with no professional mental health training.
Escalating behaviours and suicide
Self-harm can happen when someone is not feeling suicidal. Someone who views self-harm content may not have any suicidal feelings or impulses.
However, people can self-harm to replace a suicidal impulse that they are feeling. Self-harm can escalate into suicidal behaviour over time.
Self-harm may stop being a coping mechanism, and someone who has become used to pain from self-harm may find a suicide attempt less frightening.
Becoming desensitised
Seeing graphic media can result in someone becoming desensitised. This might mean they are less shocked or frightened by the things they see.
Over time, someone may begin searching for self-harm content of an increasingly extreme nature. It can be difficult for a child or young person to recognise when something is gradually having a negative impact.
Risky offline behaviours
Self-harm content can influence someone to engage in self-harm. Some forms of self-harm can take the form of risky and harmful offline behaviours.
There are lots of different harmful behaviours. Some of these might involve binge drinking, taking drugs, or involve unsafe sex.
Relapsing
Someone with a history of self-harming can be triggered into relapse as a result of viewing self-harm content.
Over-identifying
Some young people can over-identify with individuals who are shown in self-harm content. They may believe their experiences overlap and wish to mimic the behaviours shown.
This could make self-harm more appealing. A young person might want to try out or engage in self-harm.
Motivations
A young person may be drawn to self-harm content or self-harming for several reasons. This could be because they:
- are curious
- don’t see it as harmful
- have undergone a big event, like the loss of a family member, or a breakup
- think they haven’t got anyone to turn to
- see self-harm as a solution or as a form of escapism
- want to feel less alone
- want to learn new methods of self-harm
- are seeking attention
- want to share experiences
Young people’s voice
I recently came across an Instagram page that was sharing what are meant to be funny pictures of people, but one of them was someone's self-harm cuts or scars. Whoever posted this is making it like a laughing joke, which I find sickening. I just feel bad for the person who has to go through this, having something private uploaded to the Internet must be heart-breaking.
Boy aged 15, Childline
Children’s experiences of legal but harmful content online: Childline & NSPCC 2022
What you can do
You may be working with a young person who is viewing self-harm content, or you suspect to be self-harming. They may also be thinking about self-harming or have engaged in self-harming behaviours.
If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
Talking might be one way to help a young person recover from their experience of self-harm or self-harm content.
Discussions with a young person might involve:
- concerns or worries a young person might have
- why they wish to view self-harm content
- speaking to a trusted adult if they’re unsure about something, or if something has upset them
- professional organisations that can help with self-harm or self-harm ideation
- the way that content algorithms can work
Read more about self-harm content
- Digital experiences and their impact on the lives of adolescents (The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health) – Journal
- Children’s experiences of legal but harmful content online (NSPCC) – File
- Deliberate self-harm in adolescents (National Library of Medicine) – Website
- Research into risk factors that may lead children to harm online (Revealing Reality) – Website
- Non-suicidal self-injury (Advances in Psychotherapy) – File
Share your experience of self-harm content
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm