An internet prank imploring fans of pop idol Justin Bieber to cut themselves has trended on Twitter.
The hashtag #CutForBieber was created by members of the 4Chan forum, which is known as an anarchic haven for bad taste humour.
The tag "asked" fans of Bieber to mutilate themselves in order to get him not to take drugs, after pictures of him smoking were published online.
But the tag quickly made it on to Twitter, where it was taken seriously - primarily by people horrified that it might actually be real.
The topic reached near the top of the UK's trending topics on Tuesday morning.
Pop star Miley Cyrus tweeted in response:
#cut4bieber? Cutting is NOT something to joke about. There are people who are actually suffering from self-harm, this is so disrespectful.
It is unclear whether any fans of Bieber's took the hashtag at face value, but several users posted graphic images of self-harm on Twitter.
The hoax recalls a similar trending topic - #BaldForBieber - in which 4Chan members tried to get the pop stars fans to shave their heads after he was falsely reported to have been diagnosed with cancer.
Anyone concerned that they or someone they know is harming themselves should contact Young Minds, a UK-based charity for young person's mental health.