Mentor/s
Dr. Beekey Dr. Loris Dr. Rober
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
As the second leading cause of death for young adults, suicide rates are on the rise in the United States and strike many as a cause for concern. With the ever-increasing amount of social media present in today’s society – especially among the young adult population, there are correlations between the negative aspects of social media and the overall well-being and mental health decline of U.S. adolescents. However, the discrepancy is that many teenagers use social media as a coping mechanism or as a means to seek support from their community, potentially through an anonymous state. Yet, the link between social media and youth suicidal tendencies has been connected to negative social media usage and the depressive or harmful symptoms that result from using media for destructive purposes. Although social media can be used for both beneficial and destructive means, the increase in suicide rates of U.S. adolescents suggests a correlation between harmful social media usage and despondency in youth mental health. Potential risk factors that lead to deliberate-self harm (DSH) in adolescents are the heavy usage of social media, detrimental uses of media platforms, cyberbullying experiences, or exposure to violence and self-harm. Nevertheless, valuable connections can overcome the damaging media through the use of online platforms for social support, community outreach, and education or awareness within these platforms.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Session M: West Campus West Building W144
Start Day/Time
4-29-2022 1:15 PM
End Day/Time
4-29-2022 2:15 PM
Hashtag Suicide: Social Media Correlates to American Adolescent Suicide Deaths
Session M: West Campus West Building W144
As the second leading cause of death for young adults, suicide rates are on the rise in the United States and strike many as a cause for concern. With the ever-increasing amount of social media present in today’s society – especially among the young adult population, there are correlations between the negative aspects of social media and the overall well-being and mental health decline of U.S. adolescents. However, the discrepancy is that many teenagers use social media as a coping mechanism or as a means to seek support from their community, potentially through an anonymous state. Yet, the link between social media and youth suicidal tendencies has been connected to negative social media usage and the depressive or harmful symptoms that result from using media for destructive purposes. Although social media can be used for both beneficial and destructive means, the increase in suicide rates of U.S. adolescents suggests a correlation between harmful social media usage and despondency in youth mental health. Potential risk factors that lead to deliberate-self harm (DSH) in adolescents are the heavy usage of social media, detrimental uses of media platforms, cyberbullying experiences, or exposure to violence and self-harm. Nevertheless, valuable connections can overcome the damaging media through the use of online platforms for social support, community outreach, and education or awareness within these platforms.
Students' Information
Biology Major
Chemistry Minor
Honors Student
Graduating in 2023