Research: Young people may temporarily withdraw from social media use on the day they self-harm
New research from our partners at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London, in partnership with YoungMinds, examines the image-posting habits on social media of young people who self-harm.
The study found that young people temporarily withdraw from posting images on the day they self-harm.
The research, published in BMJ Open, highlights a relationship between young people and their social media use before and after episodes of self-injury, showing that expressions of distress are often mixed with broader themes of support for wellbeing and connection with other users across varied content, including mental health and humour.
Professor Rina Dutta, Consultant Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley, said: “Self-harming in young people is very often a sign of distress. They are people in need of support not only from medical professionals, but also from family and friends. While there are many concerning examples of social media having a negative impact on young people, our study found that – for this particular group – it also offered a way to express difficult emotions and to encourage others experiencing similar difficulties to seek help.”
Self-harm among young people is rising, particularly those with mental health difficulties, and is linked to a greater risk of suicide. While research has suggested that young people may share or engage with harmful content online that reinforces self-harm, other studies report that social media can provide opportunities for peer support and help promote recovery.
The Youth Participation Team at YoungMinds, said: “This research was incredibly meaningful. It has given our youth advisors a genuine opportunity to shape research through lived experience and to explore the complex ways social media, wellbeing and self-expression intersect in their lives. The project not only amplified young people’s voices but also helped them feel valued as contributors to research that could support and inform better understanding and care for others.”
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