Does The Internet Cause Psychological Harm To Teens?

from the sounds-familiar dept

Wed, Oct 1st 2003 12:29am — Mike Masnick

It's been about five years since the famous Carnegie Mellon study suggesting that the internet made people depressed. That study got a ridiculous amount of publicity, and its findings were quickly picked apart and discredited. Of course, that won't stop psychologists from coming up with all sorts of ways to prove that the internet is "bad". The latest, is a study out of Australia saying that the internet causes psychological harm to teens. The basis for this conclusion? That many teens are more comfortable chatting online than in person. So, because these teens actually find a social space where they're comfortable communicating (rather than bottling everything up inside) we're supposed to conclude that it's had a bad psychological effect on them. The inherent assumption in the conclusion is that communicating online is bad, while communicating in person is good. It never seems to occur to the psychologist doing the study that by being able to communicate comfortably online, the teen may be able to build up self-confidence in their own opinions and ability to express themselves, which can translate into the real world as well.

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45 Comments

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dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 12:43am

Cuts both ways
The internet can just as well serve as a medium for vicious criticism that would not likely occur in real life. People can make fun of a teen's birth defect or whatever online, which they are unlikely to do in real life. Also, the net can exacerbate the negative attention-getting behavior of teens online; in the wake of the Columbine shooting, every chat room on the net seemed to be filled with teens who called themselves "Columbine students". A few years before that, some 15-year-old German girl in a wheelchair pulled a publicity stunt by carving a swastika on her forehead and claiming skinheads did it.

[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 12:49am

Destructive sites
Here's some examples:

http://www.self-injury.net/

http://realm2-blessedbe.com/StarvingForPerfection/Ana/AnaIndex.h tml
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amy, 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:13am

Re: Destructive sites
How dare you put up www.self-injury.net.
That is NOT a destructive website.
I am a self inflictor and I came across www.self-injury.net and have stopped cutting.
Based on the support I have received from that site.
I am extremely outraged that you haven't even looked into this and seen how many people are being helped. Have you actually been onto the Message Boards?! Have you read any of the site?!
I doubt you have.
Because if you had you would've realised that the creator of this site is trying to help people. Not urge them to hurt themselves.
We should be commending her. Not condemning her!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Skip, 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:28am

Re: Destructive sites
I am a member of the same group as Amy and I back and agree with every word she has said, the message board has helped me more than once and sites don't make people hurt themselves shit comments and everyday life does....how can it be that you can say it's telling people to hurt them selfs if they are going to do it whether on a computer or not?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mike (profile), 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:30am

Re: Destructive sites
Before getting angry at dorpus, please note that whoever he is, he enjoys posting completely non-sensical and obnoxious things just to piss people off. You're better off ignoring him, though, even I forget that from time to time.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amy, 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:33am

Re: Destructive sites
Thank you for your true response to say the least.
I am just angry because the creator of that site is a wonderful person who has helped thousands of people. She really should be congratulated.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 3:03am

Re: Destructive sites
So let's see, a site that is full of imagery of people who have committed suicide or hurt themselves is "helpful". Right. From your response, I can see how teens can defend these thinly disguised pro-sociopathic sites. Pop stars have taken advantage of this aspect of teens for many years.

Mike, doesn't want to his site turned into a teen flame fest, though I hardly think he is a Gabrielle fan.

[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 3:15am

Sample forum article from self-injury.net
"...ahhhhhhh. blood. such beautiful crimson life coming out of me. carved masterpeices. my legs. such destruction, yet such wonderful relief. oh to be able to feel... i've gone numb again. though i was hurting so much, it was nice to at least feel something. now i've gone back inside myself to hide again...."

[Followed by squishy replies of supportive comments]

So, teens who hurt themselves get all this affection and loving attention from fellow slashers, in the name of "help". I see how this works.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Peter, 1 Oct 2003 @ 3:37am

Dorphus
Dorphus clearly seems to suffer from teenage angst himself. I bet that there's a lost boy inside that cold shell of his.

-Peter
[ link to this | view in thread ]
E, 1 Oct 2003 @ 4:13am

Re: Destructive sites
Where's your proof that the self-injury site is at all destructive?

If maybe you gave me some statistics or even a couple of examples of teenagers who cut themselves SPECIFICALLY because of that site then you would have a valid reason to include it in your list.
Otherwise you look like an ass.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 4:18am

Re: Destructive sites
Well, it's kind of hard to dig up graves and make dead teens talk, if you were wanting the testimony of those who already visited the site and killed themselves.

But when you cut that portal to the other dimension on your wrist, maybe you will meet them and they can tell you all about it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
westpac, 1 Oct 2003 @ 4:51am

same old same old
This is exactly why I gave up posting on internet boards last year. Too many teenagers with too much free time who want to piss people off just to amuse themselves. Since Techdirt articles usually only garner a few comments it's nowhere near as bad as most sites (including /.) that solicit comments, but all it takes is one infant peeing in the pool to spoil the party for everyone else. I don't know if any of you ever saw Netslaves, but it went from a good place to hear dot.com horror stories to the biggest left-wing vs right-wing pig-fight since FC abandoned all pretense of moderation. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen here.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rhi, 1 Oct 2003 @ 5:28am

Re: Destructive sites
can't believe you're having a go at a site that supports people and not sites that encourge and give tips on how to self harm.

Do some research?

muppet
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 5:31am

Re: same old same old
Why, we could improve techdirt by having it be a quieter forum where parochial nerds bash the music industry all the time. I'm sure the site's ratings will rise.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus fan, 1 Oct 2003 @ 6:00am

Re: same old same old
dorpus im with u on this.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AMetamorphosis, 1 Oct 2003 @ 7:49am

Re: same old same old
Just because some of you don't agree with Dorpus it doesn't make his points less valid.

Mike, you obviously " fuel the fire " with the post you made in this forum so you're as much to blame for the down slide of this conversation as anyone else.

Christ, I forget what the topic was even about now ...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Oct 2003 @ 8:03am

Re: same old same old
Mike would prefer it this way.
And if he has already read about a topic or is aware of a technology , he likes to bash those that try to join in and add comments.
Example: IM clients and someone committing the sin of mentioning Trillian.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Silver, 1 Oct 2003 @ 8:27am

No Subject Given
ive just been reading over this and i cant believe what some of you are saying.... the first being : -
"People can make fun of a teen's birth defect or whatever online, which they are unlikely to do in real life."
the internet definately breaks down barriers, people would say things easier, but the point is, online most people wouldnt know the person HAD a birth defect, and real life? what kinda world do you live in? i think you got it the wrong way round... people are definately more likely to make fun of the birth defect in person.
the next comment is about the site - self-injury.net and especially the forum, safe haven...
yea you get sum people on there who are difficult, who promote si... saying things strangely similar to "when you cut that portal to the other dimension on your wrist" hmmm!!!!!
neway these people get banned pretty sharpish!
its also full of people! NORMAL people... you cant expect people to be perfect just because there on an internet site... its real...
but sh is a safe place, its a place built by its members, and especially by gabs...
"So, teens who hurt themselves get all this affection and loving attention from fellow slashers, in the name of "help". I see how this works." i dont REALLY think you do!! so nice of you to assume you know it all though. people, not just teens! you hurt themselves, get support and make friends which other people who understand them... other people who understand how they feel... for sum people they still cant deal with it all, the site doesnt keep them alive, but who said it was meant to be a miracle cure?
ever felt lonely? because every1 around you is scared that they'll see a cut or a scar or that youll do sumthg that nobody wants you to do? if you havent felt like that then i dont think you can really totally ever judge on this.
thats just what i have to say...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Oct 2003 @ 8:45am

That's the bell
Hey, kids, go back to class, let the adults do some quiet reading on technology and for God's sakes just ingore Dorpus.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Oct 2003 @ 9:09am

Re: That's the bell
Fan that flame asshole
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anon, 1 Oct 2003 @ 12:38pm

Any thing can Harm Teens
This is a moronic study. As you know every person is DIFFERENT and reacts DIFFERENTLY to every thing. Im sure the Internet could be harmful to some and like the holy grail to others. So any post to this story is pointless because there is NO Correct answer.

[ link to this | view in thread ]
pringles, 1 Oct 2003 @ 1:42pm

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens
http://gabrielle.self-injury.net/index.php?showtopic=22910

look they even made a thread about this
becuase they are so sad.
truely pathetic ppl
[ link to this | view in thread ]
lookie, 1 Oct 2003 @ 1:43pm

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens
http://gabrielle.self-injury.net/index.php?showtopic=22910
[ link to this | view in thread ]
tessa, 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:24pm

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens
We're the pathetic ones? Yeah, whatever
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Luzia., 1 Oct 2003 @ 2:56pm

Re: same old same old
Ok, self-injury.net is not a bad place, not at all. I have been there and it hashelped me, yes, and i have met wonderful ppl from there that has helped me a lot when i needed.
But lets face it, it`s only internet and a forum on internet is not gonna make ppl stop from cutting or is not gonna make ppl start cutting themselves. It can be triggering yes, but that`s up to the person that goes there. It does not say in anyplace: Hey teens, go cut yourselves.
I think it`s only a pl�ace where teens can go and say anything they want without being looked as freaks by the others. Cuz there is ppl who understands them there.
So i support self-injury.net I think it`s an ok place for ppl who needs help. Cuz it has helped me.

[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sharon, 1 Oct 2003 @ 3:44pm

my comment
Are you that twat that got booted out of self haven?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
u twat, 1 Oct 2003 @ 3:57pm

Re: my comment
are u that girl that used to be a gguy?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 1 Oct 2003 @ 6:42pm

Gabrielle responds
In her words,

From http://gabrielle.self-injury.net/index.php?showtopic=22910

"Oops. Wasn't trying to get anyone upset. :/

I myself was amused. This site may not be anti-self-injury but it's certainly not in the same category as the pro-anorexia sites. Maybe if I added some tips on how to cut effectively...

Gabrielle "

So, despite the claims of her followers that the site is supposed to "help" people, even Gabrielle admits the site is "not anti-self-injury".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
tessa, 1 Oct 2003 @ 9:22pm

You moron
Just because a site isn't anti-self-injury does NOT mean that it doesn't help people. Maybe you should read the rules Gabrielle has set up for the board, which includes no tips allowed on the board, no telling people how to cut deeper, no sharing of what brand of razors to buy, etc. We don't JUDGE and CONDEMN people who self injure, which is all 'not anti-self-injury' means. Gabrielle's site is NOT pro-SI therefore it is bullshit to categorize it with pro-ana sites like Starving For Perfection that actually DO give tips.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amy, 2 Oct 2003 @ 2:14am

Re: You moron
Er...

Where are the graphic pictures of people cutting themselves?
I've been a member for quite a few months and I've never seen it.

And Dorphus you went and looked for a thread.
Seems you are quite interested in the site and know how to get around... Do you go there more often than you would like to admit?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dorpus, 2 Oct 2003 @ 2:33am

Re: You moron
Graphic pictures of people cutting themselves? That's easy, go to self-injury.net's front page and look at "gallery of pain".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Robyn, 2 Oct 2003 @ 3:10am

Re: Destructive sites
I'm another member of Self-Injury.net. I'm no longer a cutter, and I joined the board on self-injury.net around the 11-month-mark of my quitting cutting. That website, that message board, the people on the board have kept me from relapsing so many times. They have helped me keep my sanity through the madness called my life. The internet did not make me depressed, my life did. Other cutters, other depressed people don't add to my depression..they remind me that I'm not the only one going through it, and if I'm not the only one, then that means that it can get better. People on the internet (of course along with my real-life friends) have saved me from myself more times than I can count. Self-Injury.net is in no way a harming site. Of course, this is matter of opinion. And my opinion is that anyone who thinks that Gabs and her site are harming people..you're opinion is wrong.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Silver, 2 Oct 2003 @ 3:35am

No Subject Given
many other sites have lots of pictures of self injury... im not sure if there are ne of self-injury.net but im sure there not very easy to get to..

also you can say self.injury.net is bad cos it triggers people but people get just as easily triggered in the world by other methods...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
lol, 2 Oct 2003 @ 5:41am

Re: Gabrielle responds
lol at her
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amy, 3 Oct 2003 @ 5:48am

Re: Sample forum article from self-injury.net
Maybe they had some squishy replies because it was a) a good poem and b) wanted to make sure this person was ok and not reaching out for help through their work..
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bec, 3 Oct 2003 @ 3:59pm

Re: Destructive sites
People kill themselves as a direct result of visiting SH? Wow, Gabs is more influential than I thought. And there was me thinking she was running a support board... (note the sarcasm)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Shannon, 17 Nov 2003 @ 4:24pm

Re: Destructive sites
www.suicidemethods.com
i think that's the correct url, try it with .net or .org. haven't been there in awhile.
anyways, you all seem to be very interested in finding a gallery of self-mutilation imagery, and that's what you will find on the aforementioned site. it's quite lovely.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ash, 12 Dec 2003 @ 4:52pm

Re: Sample forum article from self-injury.net
hey jerk back off the self-injury thing ok? Obviously you've never been in those shoes. I have it its harder to quit than anybody else could imagine. It's worse than drugs and we use those so called destructive sites as an outlet to quit cutting. BACK OFF since you've never been there...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
tyler beckner, 5 Apr 2004 @ 10:45am

Hi AND Help
Hi im Tyler . B and i am doing a research paper over this. If you dont mind I would like to get more information and ask ?s so please write back.

Thank you

Sincerly

Tyler Beckner LIEUTINANT GOVERNOR DIVISION 33
[ link to this | view in thread ]
wxexnxdxyx, 29 Apr 2004 @ 11:13am

Re: Hi AND Help
FUCK THAT SHIT PUNK!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Jan 2006 @ 4:13pm

Re: same old same old
skake
that laffy taffy
[ link to this | view in thread ]
CATHLEEN HENSON, 2 Aug 2006 @ 7:56pm

MY BEST FRIEND
HI MY NAME IS CATHLEEN AND MY BEST FRIEND
SHE IS IN A GROUP HOME AND SHE CUT'S HERSELF
SHE FEELS LIKE NOBODY LOVE'S HER BUT I LOVE HER SO MUCH I'M AFAID ONE DAY SHE'S GOING TO CUT TO DEEP SO CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO

CATHLEEN
[ link to this | view in thread ]
michelle murray, 12 Sep 2008 @ 9:40pm

your best friend replys
yeah i can don't paste stuff about my personal life on the internet if you was a true friend you would talk to me not poste about me.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Angel, 28 Oct 2008 @ 4:45am

No one should encourage cutting or hurting one's self. If you have a problem YOU need to seek help and maybe your friend didn't talk to you because you're hard headed.Only God can take away your pain in a way that doesn't hurt. I once hurt myself but I finally realized it's a waste of time because I was still not happy with who I was.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
internet 'safety', 22 Feb 2011 @ 4:52am

Re: same old same old
That's what internet boards are all about. Arguments are a beautiful aspect of the internet... you get to prove idiots wrong all the time lmao.
[ link to this | view in thread ]

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Does The Internet Cause Psychological Harm To Teens?

from the sounds-familiar dept

Reader Comments

Cuts both ways

Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Sample forum article from self-injury.net

Dorphus

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

same old same old

Re: Destructive sites

Re: same old same old

Re: same old same old

Re: same old same old

Re: same old same old

No Subject Given

That's the bell

Re: That's the bell

Any thing can Harm Teens

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens

Re: Any thing can Harm Teens

Re: same old same old

my comment

Re: my comment

Gabrielle responds

You moron

Re: You moron

Re: You moron

Re: Destructive sites

No Subject Given

Re: Gabrielle responds

Re: Sample forum article from self-injury.net

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Destructive sites

Re: Sample forum article from self-injury.net

Hi AND Help

Re: Hi AND Help

Re: same old same old

MY BEST FRIEND

your best friend replys

Re: same old same old

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