Digital Media, Suicide, and Self-Injury

Abstract

The relationship between social media use, suicide, and self-injurious behaviors has received public and academic attention. Social media are platforms that facilitate social connection and support around life challenges, including self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, and spaces where they may encounter content or interactions increasing risk. This chapter’s purposes are twofold: (1) to summarize research on the risks and benefits of social media use for SITB-related outcomes, including what is and is not known about primary mechanisms in these relationships; (2) to identify high-level implications, including opportunities and challenges for future research, intervention and prevention efforts. The first section overviews the prevalence and presentation of SITB in adolescence and the role of social media in SITB, while the second section summarizes findings on risks and benefits of social media use for SITB, and key mechanisms involved in these relationships. The final section covers implications for research, practice, and policy, through high-level opportunities.