Vidoes about how to hide self-harm scars, “cutting” videos, personal accounts of battles against this modern “disease”, “dedications” to those who hurt themselves to feel better or get attention, music videos that might “trigger” self-harm . . . there are thousands of videos on YouTube and other video sharing sites covering the topic of self-harm.
And parents with impressionable teenage kids had better watch out. Although these videos available on the online video sharing site may come with warnings and with the requirement that the user signs in, it’s always possible that teenagers can view the material (older brothers, friends etc).
News24 reports that YouTube videos on cutting and other self-injury methods attract millions of hits and could possibly serve as a how-to for troubled viewers, a study warns.
Many videos show bloody live enactments or graphic photos of people cutting their arms or legs with razors or other sharp objects, the study found. Many also glamorise self-injury and few videos discourage it, the study authors said.
They also feature haunting music and rich imagery that may attract young self-injurers and trigger the behaviour, especially in those who have just started to self-injure, the authors suggest.
Canadian psychologist Stephen Lewis, a study co-author, said he found more than 5 000 YouTube videos on self-injury. The study focused on 100 videos the authors found in December 2009. Their analysis was published online on Monday in Pediatrics.
Online comments
The 100 videos were viewed more than two million times and generated many online comments.
The concern for parents around the world (wherever there is an internet connection and YouTube and other video sharing sites are available) is that teenagers, lured by the charms of the dark, emotional and mood inspired videos and music will try to emulate the behaviour they see on-screen.
And, with modern technology, the viral spread of content means that controversial messages can spread like wildfire among users.
A Google search for self harm brought up more than 3.5 million results.
Self-harm videos. Are you concerned? Send us your comments.