Social Media and Self-Harm

Popular social media platforms contribute to self-harm and suicidal ideation for young users of their networks by:

• Designing their platforms to increase screentime
• Failing to provide sufficient parental controls
• Using faulty age-verification methods

Self-harm can be a sign of a more serious mental illness and ultimately increases the risk of suicide.

What is self-harm?

Self-harm occurs when someone intentionally causes physical harm to their own body. Individuals who self-harm may be at a greater risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, or death without support and help. However, social media platforms may be encouraging these behaviors in adolescents. 

Some examples of self-harming behaviors include:

• Breaking bones
• Bruising oneself
• Burning oneself with candles, cigarettes or matches
• Cutting into the skin with sharp objects
• Engaging in eating disorders and disordered eating
• Punching or hitting oneself
• Punching things
• Using sharp objects to pierce the skin 

Relationship between social media and self-harm

Social media networks can be particularly hazardous for teens and young adults. Social media platforms seek increased user engagement at the expense of young users’ mental health. Teens and children may be more likely to become entranced by social media, which can lead to self-harm. 

Harmful social media features can be responsible for these mental health issues as they push engagement over safety. Adolescents may be more likely to experience body image issues and decreased self-esteem through social comparison. When teens are caught in a social media feedback loop, self-harm can become one of the most threatening ways for them to cope. 

Fourteen-year-old Molly Russell, for example, spent hours a day on Instagram and Pinterest before she took her own life.  

Social media app design is not the only online influence that can lead to self-harm and attempted suicide. Young adults may be twice as likely to experience cyberbullying on Facebook and other social networks. Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to harass, intimidate or hurt another person on purpose. Of the adolescents on social media sites, 37% have reported frequently experiencing cyberbullying on those sites. 

Victims of cyberbullying may be more likely to experience feelings of loneliness, insomnia, depression, disordered eating, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. A recent study of more than 150,000 cyberbullying victims revealed that victims under the age of 25 were twice as likely to self-harm or exhibit suicidal behaviors.

Social media and self-harm statistics

Self-harm and suicidal thoughts may increase among young adults on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms. Teens facing mental health challenges may turn to self-harm. In fact, teens facing problematic use, cyberbullying or difficulty coping may be more likely to start hurting themselves more severely.

In a survey of more than 37,000 adolescents, 16.1% reported self-harming over the last year. Of those surveyed, 25.8% admitted to using social media for more than three hours each day. Adolescents who spent more than three hours a day on social media were at an elevated risk of self-harm. The data shows that excessive social media use can increase the risk of self-harm, even if the young adult does not have a history of depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts. 

Instagram is a video and photo-sharing social media platform. Instagram allows users to organize content with hashtags and upload content edited with filters. Many Instagram features can lead to self-harming behaviors, including eating disorders and suicidal ideation. 

Instagram’s goal is to maximize engagement. It markets to vulnerable teens despite knowing the potential risk for harm. A leaked presentation by whistleblower Francis Haugen revealed the company’s awareness of the risks. Haugen previously worked for tech giant Meta, which owns Instagram. 

Many argue that Instagram has done little to warn parents and young users about these risks or to address these issues within its platform.

Snapchat is a picture and message sharing social media app. It is famous for its disappearing / temporary messaging features. Certain Snapchat features may lead to mental health issues, worsen self-harm behaviors or lead to suicide. 

TikTok is another popular social media app that allows users to create and view short-form videos. Videos can be as short as a few seconds or as long as 10 minutes. People are suing TikTok because it also fosters problematic use.

YouTube is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create and upload their own videos and watch videos uploaded by others.

Certain YouTube features may lead to or worsen self-harm behaviors or lead to suicide. 

If you want to help someone experiencing self-harm from social media, please seek help from a mental health professional.

Many young adults will try to hide self-harming behaviors because they feel shame or worry that their parents will be angry with them. Some of the warning signs of self-harm among young adults include:

• Avoiding activities that may expose their arms, legs or torso
• Decreasing school performance
• Changing their eating or sleeping patterns
• Experiencing mood changes such as increased irritability or outbursts
• Having injuries they will not or cannot explain
• Hiding sharp or damaging objects, such as matches, lighters, razor blades or knives
• Losing interest in friends, family or activities they usually enjoy

If your loved one is struggling with suicide ideation, please know that free, confidential support is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Dial 988 or visit the Lifeline website for 24/7 support. 

Some parents have even begun to demand justice and advocate for their children's rights. Social media affects teens by knowingly or recklessly recommending detrimental content to young people. Parents are suing Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other popular networks on behalf of children who have experienced self-harm, body dysmorphia, body image issues, a decline in their mental health and even suicidal thoughts as a direct result of this content.

Motley Rice has spent decades advocating for adolescents and their families. We recognize the tactics that social media conglomerates use to keep young adults and teens online longer may be predatory, and may lead to body dysmorphia, self-esteem issues, self-harming behaviors and even suicide. 

If someone you love has experienced suicidal ideation or self-harm because they were exposed to photos, videos and other dangerous images on social media, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Your family’s well-being is our top priority. Contact us to explore your options further.

Read more about filing a social media lawsuit.