New figures are showing a exponential rise in self-harm among teenagers from 13 to 17 and the blame is being put on social media.
The figures show a 14% rise in hospital admissions for self-harm in 2015/16 when compared to 2013/14. Figures also show that there was an average of 50 counselling sessions concerning self-harm on the NSPCC's Childline helpline last year.
The Dublin Enquirer spoke to Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the NSPCC, who said that, “A frightening number of children and teenagers are being driven to self-harm as a way of dealing with unresolved feelings, tensions and distress in their lives. Knowing hospital beds are full of young people crying out for help should be a real wake-up call to all those that care for the wellbeing of the younger generation."
“We know this unhappiness is partly due to the constant pressure they feel, particularly from social media, to have the perfect life or attain a certain image which is often unrealistic", he concluded.
Several studies have linked social media to a massive increase in self-image issues, harassment, and bullying in recent years, and many groups are calling for companies such as Facebook to take charge of the situation.
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