Self-Harm or Suicide Content
If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or emotionally distressed, please reach out for support. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.
If someone has hurt themselves and you think their injuries are life-threatening, call an ambulance on 999.
Is self-harm or suicide content allowed on social media?
Most platforms do not allow any content which encourages, instructs or glorifies self-harm or suicide. Some platforms have processes for safeguarding users who view or share this type of content.
Social media is a great place to connect with friends, catch up with the latest news and share moments from your life; however, there may be times when you encounter distressing content on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
This content can include:
- Content promoting suicide or people expressing suicidal thoughts
- Content glorifying eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia)
- Depictions of self-harm and self-injury (for example, self-cutting, scratching, burning or biting).
What can I do if I see self-harm or suicide content?
When you see this type of content, you might have questions such as:
- Why do people self-harm?
- How do I help someone who is self-harming or suicidal?
- How do I report content that is distressing for me and other social media users?
Fortunately, there are places you can go for help and support with all of these questions. Self-harm or suicide content is not tolerated on social media sites and can be reported directly to these platforms. Most social media sites and other online platforms also contain information about help or support for someone experiencing self-harm, eating disorders or suicidal thoughts.
Remember, if you’re struggling with your mental health and want to talk to someone independently about this, there is help out there. However, If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the emergency services on 999 for assistance.
