Self-harm images online 'can trigger young people to hurt themselves'

The sight of images of self-harm on social media platforms can prompt young people into carrying out similar acts, research has found. — Photo: Weronika Peneshko/dpa

LONDON: Viewing self-harm images online can trigger young people to hurt themselves and usually causes harm, a new study from the University of Oxford in Britain suggests.

Experts looked at 15 existing studies and concluded that viewing such material does more harm than good, with all the studies finding harmful effects.