Googling Self-injury

Abstract

Most adolescents and emerging adults access the Internet daily.^1-4 For many, the Internet is used to obtain health information,^1,5-7 and this may be particularly salient for issues that are sensitive or stigmatized.^8-10 One such issue, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), has received growing attention from researchers and health professionals.^9-15 Global media attention has focused on NSSI content online, with more than 400 news articles published in 2011^12,16,17 continuing well into 2012.¹⁶ Defined as deliberate destruction of body tissue (eg, cutting, burning) in the absence of conscious suicidal intent,^18,19 nonsuicidal self-injury has a consistent lifetime prevalence of 13.9% to 21.4% in youth and young adults,¹⁹ though some reported rates are even higher.²⁰ Nonsuicidal self-injury confers risk for physical injuries, scarring, psychiatric difficulties, and elevated suicide risk.^18-20