According to US research, 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. Girls and non-heterosexual young people were found to be significantly more likely to engage in this behaviour, according to this study published in the Journal of School Violence.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire analysed data from three independent national surveys conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2021, involving American teenagers aged 13-17.

The scientists explored two behaviours 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”.

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

This phenomenon, first identified in 2010, appears to be affecting more and more young people: between 2019 and 2021, 9-12% of American teenagers engaged in this behaviour, compared with 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 explained.

Indeed, the data collected show that certain groups of teenagers are more vulnerable to this behaviour: those from racial minorities, young women, and non-heterosexual young people.

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

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

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