Cyberbullying and Relationship Strife Heighten Self-Harm Risks for Teens
A senior psychiatrist warns that continuous cyberbullying, especially when paired with relationship conflicts, raises the likelihood of self-harm among adolescents.
Dr Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari, head of the Psychological Medicine department at Universiti Malaya, highlighted that adolescents face complex biological and emotional development, leaving their judgment underdeveloped. Continuous cyberbullying, unrestricted by time or location, intensifies emotional reactions, especially when coupled with relationship conflicts, thereby elevating self-harm risk. Recent incidents of youths falling from heights have amplified public concern.
He stressed that both victims and perpetrators can develop mental disorders, urging schools and families to monitor behavioral changes and provide judgment-free support spaces. Punitive responses may isolate troubled teens, so he recommends psychological assessment, counseling, and more trained school counsellors, while noting a shortage of child and adolescent psychiatry specialists.
Why it matters
Understanding how digital bullying and personal conflicts affect teen mental health can guide safer school policies and parental vigilance.
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