Megan A Moreno1, Adrienne Ton2, Ellen Selkie3, Yolanda Evans3. 1. Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: megan.moreno@seattlechildrens.org. 2. Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington. 3. Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) content is present on social media and may influence adolescents. Instagram is a popular site among adolescents in which NSSI-related terms are user-generated as hashtags (words preceded by a #). These hashtags may be ambiguous and thus challenging for those outside the NSSI community to understand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the meaning, popularity, and content advisory warnings related to ambiguous NSSI hashtags on Instagram. METHODS: This study used the search term "#selfharmmm" to identify public Instagram posts. Hashtag terms co-listed with #selfharmmm on each post were evaluated for inclusion criteria; selected hashtags were then assessed using a structured evaluation for meaning and consistency. We also investigated the total number of Instagram search hits for each hashtag at two time points and determined whether the hashtag prompted a Content Advisory warning. RESULTS: Our sample of 201 Instagram posts led to identification of 10 ambiguous NSSI hashtags. NSSI terms included #blithe, #cat, and #selfinjuryy. We discovered a popular image that described the broader community of NSSI and mental illness, called "#MySecretFamily." The term #MySecretFamily had approximately 900,000 search results at Time 1 and >1.5 million at Time 2. Only one-third of the relevant hashtags generated Content Advisory warnings. CONCLUSIONS: NSSI content is popular on Instagram and often veiled by ambiguous hashtags. Content Advisory warnings were not reliable; thus, parents and providers remain the cornerstone of prompting discussions about NSSI content on social media and providing resources for teens.
PURPOSE: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) content is present on social media and may influence adolescents. Instagram is a popular site among adolescents in which NSSI-related terms are user-generated as hashtags (words preceded by a #). These hashtags may be ambiguous and thus challenging for those outside the NSSI community to understand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the meaning, popularity, and content advisory warnings related to ambiguous NSSI hashtags on Instagram. METHODS: This study used the search term "#selfharmmm" to identify public Instagram posts. Hashtag terms co-listed with #selfharmmm on each post were evaluated for inclusion criteria; selected hashtags were then assessed using a structured evaluation for meaning and consistency. We also investigated the total number of Instagram search hits for each hashtag at two time points and determined whether the hashtag prompted a Content Advisory warning. RESULTS: Our sample of 201 Instagram posts led to identification of 10 ambiguous NSSI hashtags. NSSI terms included #blithe, #cat, and #selfinjuryy. We discovered a popular image that described the broader community of NSSI and mental illness, called "#MySecretFamily." The term #MySecretFamily had approximately 900,000 search results at Time 1 and >1.5 million at Time 2. Only one-third of the relevant hashtags generated Content Advisory warnings. CONCLUSIONS: NSSI content is popular on Instagram and often veiled by ambiguous hashtags. Content Advisory warnings were not reliable; thus, parents and providers remain the cornerstone of prompting discussions about NSSI content on social media and providing resources for teens.
Authors: Matthew K Nock; Thomas E Joiner; Kathryn H Gordon; Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson; Mitchell J Prinstein Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2006-08-02 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Megan A Moreno; Lauren A Jelenchick; Katie G Egan; Elizabeth Cox; Henry Young; Kerry E Gannon; Tara Becker Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2011-03-11 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: Rebecka Peebles; Jenny L Wilson; Iris F Litt; Kristina K Hardy; James D Lock; Julia R Mann; Dina L G Borzekowski Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2012-10-25 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Gergely Mészáros; Dora Győri; Lili Olga Horváth; Dora Szentiványi; Judit Balázs Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-08-14 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Isaac Chun-Hai Fung; Elizabeth B Blankenship; Jennifer O Ahweyevu; Lacey K Cooper; Carmen H Duke; Stacy L Carswell; Ashley M Jackson; Jimmy C Jenkins; Emily A Duncan; Hai Liang; King-Wa Fu; Zion Tsz Ho Tse Journal: Perm J Date: 2019-12-06
Authors: Reem M A Shafi; Paul A Nakonezny; Magdalena Romanowicz; Aiswarya L Nandakumar; Laura Suarez; Paul E Croarkin Journal: CNS Spectr Date: 2020-04-27 Impact factor: 4.604
Authors: Megan A Moreno; Aubrey D Gower; Marina C Jenkins; Josh Scheck; Jaymin Sohal; Bradley Kerr; Henry N Young; Elizabeth Cox Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2018-11-02