Cutting or self-injury is something that some teens (and even tweens) do as a coping mechanism. Usually, a teen is ashamed of this behavior and does everything that they can to hide it.
This form of self-abuse is a cry for help but one that is often not seen. A teen does this because the act of inflicting pain upon oneself releases endorphins in the brain that make you feel better.
Depression or anxiety issues are usually at the root of this kind of behavior. The teen doesn't feel comfortable enough to ask for help or feels so ashamed about what they are doing that they withdraw into their own world and keep this secret from family and friends.
A disturbing trend is beginning to happen however. Teens who do this self-injury are posting the videos of what they do and YouTube is finding that other teens are watching.
Self-injury videos on YouTube often have a message to other teens that makes these videos helpful. Many encourage teens to get help for this behavior. Some cutters will share why they cut themselves and offer up advice to other teens who may feel the need to hurt themselves.
Other videos seems to be a form of reality entertainment for some. That is disturbing that someone would tune in to see someone else perform a dangerous stunt or to view someone's scars from their self-mutilation.
Cutting and self-injury is a symptom of a troubled teen. Parents and other adults need to be aware of teens at risk for this kind of behavior. Even if your teen is not troubled, talking about this kind of behavior is important. We need to make our teens aware that cutting is not a way to solve problems.
Talk to the tweens and teens in your life about cutting, self-injury and what they like to watch on YouTube.
Open dialog can help.
This form of self-abuse is a cry for help but one that is often not seen. A teen does this because the act of inflicting pain upon oneself releases endorphins in the brain that make you feel better.
Depression or anxiety issues are usually at the root of this kind of behavior. The teen doesn't feel comfortable enough to ask for help or feels so ashamed about what they are doing that they withdraw into their own world and keep this secret from family and friends.
A disturbing trend is beginning to happen however. Teens who do this self-injury are posting the videos of what they do and YouTube is finding that other teens are watching.
Self-injury videos on YouTube often have a message to other teens that makes these videos helpful. Many encourage teens to get help for this behavior. Some cutters will share why they cut themselves and offer up advice to other teens who may feel the need to hurt themselves.
Other videos seems to be a form of reality entertainment for some. That is disturbing that someone would tune in to see someone else perform a dangerous stunt or to view someone's scars from their self-mutilation.
Cutting and self-injury is a symptom of a troubled teen. Parents and other adults need to be aware of teens at risk for this kind of behavior. Even if your teen is not troubled, talking about this kind of behavior is important. We need to make our teens aware that cutting is not a way to solve problems.
Talk to the tweens and teens in your life about cutting, self-injury and what they like to watch on YouTube.
Open dialog can help.
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