Digital Self-Harm Has Increased 88% Among American Teenagers Since 2016, With Teens Posting Negative Content About Themselves Online
Many parents and educators are worried about how exposure to social media might affect kids developmentally — and they’re right to be concerned. Researchers have discovered that digital self-harm is on the rise. Since 2016, there has been an 88 percent increase in digital self-harm among American teenagers.
The phenomenon describes the act of teens posting negative content about themselves online. According to a new study, nearly 12 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 in the United States have engaged in some form of digital self-harm as of 2021.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire analyzed three national surveys conducted in 2016, 2019, and 2021 to gain a better understanding of the destructive trend and how it has changed over time. The surveys focused on American teens between 13 and 17 years old.
They looked at two specific behaviors in relation to digital self-harm: whether teens had ever posted something hurtful about themselves online anonymously and whether they had ever cyberbullied themselves online anonymously. The researchers also considered factors such as race and gender to determine if certain groups were more likely to participate in the trend.
The study resulted in several findings that were rather troubling. In 2016, about six percent of teens posted negative content about themselves online anonymously, and four percent cyberbullied themselves anonymously. By 2021, the numbers had leaped to 12 percent and nine percent.
In regards to gender, teen boys were more likely to engage in anonymous cyberbullying in 2016. But, by 2021, the gender dynamics had experienced a shift. Now, teen girls have shown an overall higher rate of digital self-harm.
In addition, LGBTQ youth were much more likely to partake in digital self-harm than their straight counterparts. Non-white students were more inclined to anonymously post mean things about themselves online, particularly Hispanic students.
Finally, students who were victims of cyberbullying were five to seven times more likely to practice digital self-harm than those who had never been cyberbullied.
Previous research has demonstrated that digital self-harm is associated with issues such as depression, sleep troubles, eating disorders, bullying, and physical harm.
DimaBerlin – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
According to Dr. Sameer Hinduja, a study co-author and a professor at Florida Atlantic University, it’s becoming increasingly clear that digital self-harm is a major issue that threatens the health of teens. Further research is needed to identify solutions that can serve as protective measures and lessen its impact.
The reasons behind why teens perform digital self-harm are complex and multifaceted. They range from self-hatred and looking for attention to a desire to appear strong and tough.
Some teens may be trying to express their pain online because they feel it is the only safe space for them to do so.
“It’s also crucial to understand why young people engage in digital self-harm and help them develop healthier coping mechanisms,” explained Dr. 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.”
More than ever, it’s important for parents and educators to stay informed about these types of trends and to foster an environment where young people feel safe to share their struggles.
This can help combat digital self-harm and encourage healthier behavior online.
The study was published in the Journal of School Violence.
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