The number of young people admitted to hospital after cutting themselves deliberately is up by more than 50% in five years, according to new figures.

There were 2,727 admissions in the UK for self-harm with a sharp object among under-25′s in 2008/09, compared with 1,758 in 2004/05. “We are sure this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Professor Keith Hawton at Oxford University. “Pressures have increased and there’s much more expected of young people. Another factor could be publicity,” said Prof Hawton. “It’s being discussed more in the media and by that I include the internet.”

One in five school children with a history of self-harming questioned by researchers at Oxford and Stirling Universities said they first learnt about it after seeing or reading something online, second only to hearing about it from friends.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists says it is now “seriously concerned” about the growing number of websites which glamorise the problem or show gory images of cuts and scars. “The kinds of things we are worried about are the graphic videos of self-harm (injuries) that are posted to sites like YouTube,” said Dr Margaret Murphy, chair of the College’s child and adolescent section.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is now calling for website owners and moderators to remove material which might promote or trigger self-harm and to link directly to sites which offer professional support.

Tens of thousands of videos dealing with self harm and cutting have been uploaded to sites like YouTube.

The rise in hospital admissions shows rates of self-harm are going up The most common form is cutting, followed by overdosing, burning and strangulation

Anonymous surveys show one in 10 young people have tried to hurt themselves at some point. Most common reasons are family difficulties followed by body image and work or school pressure. Most young people who self-harm say they do it to cope with their emotions, not as a plea for help or a failed suicide attempt.

Some offer genuine help and advice but a growing number feature graphic photos and moving images of cuts and scars often along with background music and personal comments. The most popular videos have been viewed more than 300,000 times and generate dozens of comments each day.

Chris, Web Designer at Input Youth

The Government has launched a new mobile phone application aimed at making it easier for jobseekers to look for work.

The idea is that people will be able to enter their location or job types and then see exactly where vacancies are being offered.

Employment minister Jim Knight said: “In this digital age being online is not a luxury, it is a basic right. Evidence shows that access to the internet improves exam grades, earning potential and can save up to £600 on family bills”

“I am committed to getting people online, improving the customer experience and saving money through a better, more efficient use of technology. Giving people access to the internet in jobcentres and expanding the tools available through the introduction of the app are just two elements of this work.”

Around 13% of vacancies – a total of 350,000 – advertised through Jobcentre Plus each year only accept electronic applications, meaning that people missed out if they were not online, said the minister.

Chris, Web Designer at Input Youth