Images of self-harm on social media can reinforce self-injurious behavior (NSSI) in adolescents with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSV), according to a new study. “Our study shows that visual content on social media can significantly contribute to the reinforcement of self-harm urges, especially in already vulnerable adolescents,” said lead author Andreas Goreis from the University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedUni Vienna on Monday.

“These findings highlight the need to better prepare adolescents for dealing with such images and provide them with tools to improve their emotional regulation and distance themselves from distressing stimuli,” added study leader Oswald Kothgassner. The study, conducted at the Medical University of Vienna and presented on Monday, was published in JAMA Network Open.

Attention Bias Increases Urge for Self-Harm

Adolescents affected by self-harm tend to show heightened attention toward images of self-injury on social media. This attention bias—marked by increased and quicker fixation on such content—further intensifies the urge to self-harm. The researchers are therefore calling for stronger preventive and intervention measures.

Study Analyzed 14- to 18-Year-Olds with and Without NSSV History

The research team at the University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedUni Vienna analyzed 14- to 18-year-olds with and without a history of NSSV. Using eye-tracking technology, they measured gaze direction and fixation duration on various visual stimuli. Reaction times to NSSV images were also compared to those for neutral images.

The results showed that adolescents with a history of self-harm “reacted much more strongly to self-injury images than to neutral content and had difficulty disengaging their attention from these images,” the study authors reported. In contrast, this was not the case with text-based content related to self-harm. The control group, without a history of NSSV, showed no comparable reaction to the NSSV images. For adolescents without such prior experience, these images appeared to be less problematic.

Discussing the Issue with Affected Individuals

While physiological stress responses, such as heart rate or skin conductivity, showed no significant differences when confronted with the images, the study suggests that the psychological effects could be distressing. Professionals and clinicians should therefore be aware of the potential triggers posed by such images and address the issue directly with those affected. To prevent exposure to harmful media content, the researchers recommend “measures to improve emotional regulation skills and awareness-raising programs.”