New Data on Teen Self-Harm: How Social Media & Exercise Shape Mental Health

If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm or suicide, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It's free, confidential, and open 24/7.

Introduction

Teen mental health is a serious concern, and self-harm is part of it. Researchers have documented rising emergency room visits for self-harm among young girls, and they are studying how social media, family support, and physical activity fit in. The evidence is mixed. This post covers what the data shows and what it can't tell us yet.

How Common Is Teen Self-Harm?

A 2018 study in the American Journal of Public Health surveyed about 64,000 high school students in 11 states in 2015. About 24% of girls and 11% of boys said they had hurt themselves on purpose, without wanting to die, in the past 12 months. That is nearly twice the rate for girls. The survey is a snapshot of one year, so it can't show whether rates are rising.

What Emergency Room Data Shows

CDC researchers studied emergency department visits for self-inflicted injury among young people. They found that visits among girls ages 10 to 14 rose from 109.8 to 317.7 per 100,000 between 2009 and 2015, nearly tripling, while rates for boys stayed stable. These visits include injuries with and without suicidal intent. Experts caution that better reporting may explain some of the increase.

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CDC data also show the suicide rate for ages 15 to 19 rose from 8.0 per 100,000 in 2000 to 11.8 in 2017, with most of the increase after 2007.

Social Media: What We Know and Don't Know

Teens spend an average of about 4.8 hours a day on social media, according to the American Psychological Association. In the same report, 41% of teens with high social media use said their mental health was poor. Among high users, 22% of those with poor parental relationships reported suicidal thoughts or urges to self-harm, compared with 2% of those with strong parental relationships.

These findings show an association, not proof that social media causes self-harm. Family support appears to matter a great deal.

Exercise and Mental Health

Exercise is not a replacement for treatment, but the evidence for it is encouraging. A 2023 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at 97 reviews covering 1,039 trials and 128,119 participants. Physical activity reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress. The authors estimated the benefit was about 1.5 times larger than counseling or medication. That comparison was made across separate earlier reviews, not in head to head trials. Most of the evidence covers adults with mild to moderate depression, not teens specifically.

What Parents and Teens Can Do

  • Start the conversation. Ask how your teen is really doing, and listen without judgment.
  • Stay connected. Strong family relationships are linked to lower risk.
  • Encourage movement. Find something your teen enjoys, whether that's a team, a walk, or lifting.
  • Get professional support. A doctor or counselor can help, and 988 is there at any hour.

At Riseabove, we believe no one should carry their story alone.

DK

Dan Korte

Founder of Riseabove, and Living Proof that hope is stronger than hardship. After a cancer diagnosis and a broken engagement, Dan chose to rise instead of stay down, and writes about the fitness, recovery, and everyday choices that make you stronger.

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