Images of self harm on Instagram

[PerfectionistProcrastinator]

I happened across 2 accounts on Instagram today that showed images of self harm. The uploaders were personal accounts but open so anyone can see.

Both contained pictures of new cuts on the arms and legs with blood and wording talking about how much they hated themselves and one about how she was going to stop eating as she was so fat .

One mentioned how she keeps getting her account reported and asking people to please stop. I reported both, thinking that surely this should be removed by instagram!? But after a couple of hours had a response to say that there was no problem with the accounts.

I have nothing but sympathy for these girls but surely Instagram should be removing these sorts of images?

Oh no, in my experience Instagram are quite good at removing - did you report the user profile or the actual image?
Are the images still up? Sometimes if the user deletes them before Instagram review it then they can’t do anything.

I reported the accounts because the images were multiple. The images are still up.

I just don’t understand how they could review it (multiple times by the sound of it) and find it acceptable.

Maybe try reporting the individual images and seeing if that works?

Tgis is actually really interesting and i remember when i was 13 to 16 i had a tumblr (equivelent to instagram) account and me and all of my friends followed people who self harmed as it was... relatable.
Im afraid teenagers do it. Alot.

Cutting arms . Annorexia . Ocd . Anything like that. You know? It was quite cool back then.
It probably is still cool now because kids who are bullied or have a hard time at home or are just getting to grips with growing up dabble in self harm because its something they can control.
And knowung that others do it too can be comforting but it can also be quite competative.
I remember a girl at college (so 16) it was hot gossip that she was fake cool/ not really depressed because she cut her arms on the outside and not the inside.

I used to self harm with razors and when people noticed i automatically gained 100 cool points. People wanted to save me and it was... embarrassing.

You also had the wierd kinky teenaged fettish kids who would cut eachother for sexual gratification
Vampire- twilight stuff.

It isnt black and white and its quite romanticised.

Youre not going to get all of the accounts / images blocked and im surprused you only found 2

Its quite popular

Maybe talk to your kids and be open about self harm and not being judgmental if thats what youre worried about

Um yes- its a little complex.