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Chapter 11 - Social Media, Self-Harm, and Suicide

from Section 2 - Social Media and Mental Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2023

By
Cathy Brennan  and
Allan House
Edited by
Allan House  and
Cathy Brennan
Allan House
Affiliation:
Emeritus, University of Leeds
Cathy Brennan
Affiliation:
University of Leeds
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Summary

In this chapter we review the research evidence on the relationship between social media use and self-harm. There is much discussion about the possible role of social media in rising rates of self-harm, seen especially in young girls, a discussion that is accompanied by a worry that there may be an associated increased risk of death by suicide. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to go into detail about current understanding of why some people self-harm and some die by suicide - suffice to say that reasons for both are complex and multifactorial. Here we focus specifically on what we know about any potential role of social media and discuss possible mechanisms of action towards harm or benefit in relation to self-harm content.

Keywords

social mediaself-harmsuicideonline contentimages
Type
Chapter
Information
Social Media and Mental Health , pp. 109 - 118
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

Further Reading

Brennan, C., et al., Self-harm and suicidal content online, harmful or helpful? A systematic review of the recent evidence. Journal of Public Mental Health, 2022. 21(1): p. 57–69.Google Scholar
House, A., Understanding and Responding to Self-Harm: The One Stop Guide: Practical Advice for Anybody Affected by Self-Harm, 2019, London: Profile Books.Google Scholar

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