“Human Embroidery” the new trend that is causing concern in China

In recent weeks worrying pictures have emerged on social media in China showing thread pulled through children’s hands, legs and lips, thought to be a version of the Russian suicide game.

It is thought to have stemmed from a banned Japanese cartoon and mirrors the Blue Whale suicide game which was responsible for 130 teenage deaths in Russia.

Pictures of the mutilated youngsters have been uploaded to the People Daily’s Sina Weibo page, prompting commenters to say them ‘sick’ and ‘crazy’, according to the BBC.

One users said: ‘How could this kind of thing be fashionable?’ and another said: ‘Is playing with your phone not enough entertainment?’.

Many of the images show participants using colored thread to stitch patterns through the skin on their hands, legs, and even their lips. Some also add beads and ribbons as added decorations.

Media warn that this form of self-harm may cause a bacterial infection or a virus, and lead to septicaemia.

The official People’s Daily warns that skin embroidery is “secretly spreading amongst young people” and shares images that users have been posting online on its Sina Weibo page.

So far, one person has been arrested for encouraging others to pierce their skin and pull colorful thread through the incisions.