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Exploring Parents' Immediate Reactions to Digital Suicide Risk Alerts: Descriptive Study
Taylor A Burke1,2, Alexandra H Bettis3, Nehal Methi4,5
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States, 1 617-724-5600.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Parental digital monitoring apps alert parents to youth suicide risk. Most parents responded with concern and positive actions, strengthening parent-child bonds, but self-blame was common.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Youth suicide is a critical public health issue.
- Digital parental monitoring apps alert parents to potential youth suicide risk.
- Understanding parental responses to these alerts is crucial for child well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine parental perceptions of digital suicide risk alerts.
- Characterize parents' emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to alerts.
- Evaluate the impact of alerts on parent-child and co-parent relationships.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to parents using the MMGuardian app who received a suicide risk alert.
- Assessed demographics, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to alerts.
- Evaluated impact on parent-child and co-parent relationships.
Main Results:
- 32% of parents learned of potential child suicide risk via alert.
- Parents experienced negative emotions (nervousness, sadness) and self-blame.
- Common actions included talking with the child, validating feelings, and discussing mental health.
- 72% reported positive impact on closeness with their child.
- Parents were moderately in sync with co-guardians regarding risk perception and response.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest interventions to support parents responding to suicide risk alerts.
- Research is needed to optimize digital monitoring tools for families.
- Understanding alert impact can guide development of effective digital support tools for parents and children.
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