Kids are watching alarming YouTube videos on cutting and
self-injury, which may encourage the behavior. Here's what
parents need to know about spotting self-harm and helping
teens cope.
An alarming new study found that YouTube videos about
self-injury and self-harm – depicting teens cutting
themselves with razor blades, for example – have been
viewed 2.3 million times, and many of them rated favorably
(watch the example below). Most lacked warnings about
the nature of the content or viewing restrictions, according
to MedPage Today . Study authors worry that such videos
may make self-harm behavior seem normal to children or
even trigger them to attempt it.
So, what is self-injuring behavior, exactly — and could your
child be hurting himself without your knowing?
Self-injuring behavior is more common than you might
realize. Such acts, which include cutting, severe scratching,
burning, poisoning, piercing skin with sharp objects, hitting,
and biting, occur among 14 to 21 percent of children, teens,
and young adults, previous research has found.
Common reasons why teens self-harm are to make
themselves “feel alive” or to distract themselves from
intense emotions such as anger, said Allen Josephson, MD,
chief of the division of child, adolescent, and family
psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine
in Kentucky, in an Everyday Health article on teen cutting . A
complex problem, cutting is often linked to low self-esteem
and depression, as well as to other emotional health issues
including bipolar disorder , eating disorders , and obsessive
or compulsive behavior.
Though cutting and other self-harming behaviors can be
dangerous, Josephson says they’re usually not related to
suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
Could You Spot Warning Signs of Cutting Behavior in Your
Teen?
Though obvious signals include physical proof — such as
scars, cuts, and scratches — other less-noticeable
symptoms include spending a lot of time alone, wearing
long sleeves and pants, and claiming to have frequent
accidents, according to MayoClinic.com.
Is Your Teen at Risk for Cutting?
According to MayoClinic.com, children who have friends
who self-injure, who’ve endured sexual, physical, or
emotional abuse, or who have certain personality traits
(namely, those who are very self-critical, impulsive, or have
poor problem-solving skills) are more likely to self-inure
than others.
What If Your Teen Is Harming Herself?
The worst thing you can do is yell or criticize, say experts,
which may just prompt your child to harm herself further.
Make sure to tell him you love him no matter what, advises
MayoClincic.com. Since self-harm is a complicated
emotional and behavioral issue, your child will probably
need professional help to treat and prevent the problem. If
you’re concerned about your child and not sure how to seek
help, start with his pediatrician or family doctor, according
to MayoClinic.com. Get parent-to-parent advice on cutting
in our Family Health forum.