My 15-year-old son let his best friend (17) pierce his nipples while they were home alone with stuff they bought online. My son came to me afterwards to confess because “dad, what if it gets infected or something!!!” (post-thrill clarity?). Wasn’t mad (mainly disappointed); took him to a professional piercer & doctor to check it out and apparently the piercings were positioned well & there was no sign of infection, also got an aftercare plan. So I’m wondering now what? Obviously it was a dumb and reckless action but for some reason it doesn’t feel “groundable” to me. I feel like I should do something but also not really? We had a good open talk about everything though.
Seems like he might be punishing himself already, no need to pile on. This could be a teaching moment for both of you. You teach him it was potentially harmful (which it seems you have by taking him to specialists), you teach yourself that compassion, empathy, and being “cool” about something like this might get you farther than the whip
But I don’t know you or your kiddo, what your relationship is like, and really if he’s punishing himself. So I think it’s really your call In the end