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How youngsters turn to forums to ‘cut’ themselves emotionally
PARENTAL CONTROLS
do more ganisation de videos al controls. ther ways hildren. em to talk for actions able. That spond, not ecret. one of upsetnkind. ut it is move. e sure e on a icture, off. e would re. away oesn’t s up a child. world Find step-by-step guides to set controls and privacy settings on networks, gadgets, apps and sites children use to give them a safer online experience at internetmatters.org to criticise or defend them. There have been few studies into this form of harm, but a report by the Cyberbullying Research Centre in America found seven per cent of boys aged 12 to 17 and five per cent of girls had participated.
Students who were asked their reasons gave answers ranging from “feeling sad and needing attention from others” to “I felt really bad and just wanted myself to feel worse”.
Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, of internetmatters.org, said: “It has all the hallmarks of self-harm in that the person who enacts it is in a state of high emotional distress and inner-turmoil – feeling isolated, powerless and out of control.
“But rather than seek out a blade, they turn to the online world inviting others to cut them emotionally.”
Although it is difficult, parents should try not to be critical or judgmental. Instead, they should ask their children to let them know when they want to selfharm so they can work through it together.
Log on to selfharm.co.uk for more info and advice, or selfinjurysupport.org.uk, which has a text service for young women, and an any-age helpline.
If you need more help visit your GP and ask for a referral to a therapist.
Rather than seek out a blade, they turn to the online world to hurt them DR LINDA PAPADOPOULOS ON HOW YOUNGSTERS SELF-HARM ON INTERNET