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Adolescent Experiences With Social Media and Suicidality
Matthew Kline1, Ashley M Metcalf1, Ekta Patel1
1Department of Pediatrics, Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego and University of California San Diego, San Diego, Calif.
Academic Pediatrics
|December 14, 2022
Summary
Suicidal adolescents in crisis experience social media as both a source of alienation and a tool for connection. Understanding these dual impacts is key to developing effective interventions for acute suicidality.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Social media impact
- Suicidality research
Background:
- Adolescent mental health crises are a significant public health concern.
- Social media use is pervasive among adolescents and may influence mental health.
- Understanding the nuanced role of social media in adolescent suicidality is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the social media experiences of suicidal adolescents presenting with acute mental health crises.
- To identify both negative and positive impacts of social media on acute adolescent suicidal behavior.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews with 17 adolescents experiencing acute mental health crises.
- Grounded theory approach with independent coding by three investigators.
- Thematic saturation achieved through iterative data collection and analysis in Dedoose software.
Main Results:
- Key themes included social media as distraction from negative emotions and a facilitator of social connection.
- Participants reported social comparison, desensitization to suicidal acts, and increased time on platforms.
- Positive social media experiences were also identified as potentially protective.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent social media experiences in acute suicidality reflect themes of alienation and learned suicidal behaviors.
- Findings align with existing suicide theories, highlighting both risks and protective factors.
- Positive social media interactions can inform strategies to mitigate acute suicidal behaviors.
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