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More middle-school girls are inflicting self-pain. Experts say it might be because of smartphones

November 21, 2017 at 11:07 p.m. EST
A study shows that self-harm and suicide attempts are climbing among teenage girls nationwide. Experts say it could be because of smartphones and increased time spent online. (iStock)

A 15-year study of emergency room visits reveals new signs of emotional suffering among the nation's young women and girls — particularly those in their middle-school years.

Emergency room visits for girls 10 to 14 who inflicted self-pain were relatively stable before 2008 but escalated in the years since, according to new data. It is unclear why the rate of self-injury among younger teens has climbed, though some experts say it could be because of the girls' access to smartphones and Internet bullying.