Cyberchat #7
Dear Friend,
Last year at this time, SafetyNet® faced the most heartbreaking news: a San Diego student committed suicide as a result of being targeted online. As we observe National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the weight of that loss remains heavy on our hearts. As a big sister, godmother, and former teen who grew up during the rise of social media, this month resonates with me deeply. Social media can be a great space to connect and stay informed, but it also comes with its own dangers, especially for young minds still learning to navigate the complexities of the world. Though we are not mental health professionals, our SafetyNet® team strives to be a resource as we all navigate this digital landscape. Together, we honor those who may no longer be with us but will never be forgotten. By raising awareness and empowering ourselves with smart cyber knowledge, we can make a difference, offering hope where it is needed most.
Jessica Bravo
SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter
Over the past two decades, the youth suicide rate has increased significantly. From 2007 through 2021, suicide rates for Americans ages 10 to 24 rose 62%. Data suggests that social media is a major contributing factor, especially in regards to daily exposure time. Teens who reported using social media sites more than two hours a day were much more likely to report poor mental health outcomes like distress and suicidal ideation.
As we have mentioned before, there is a legal age minimum for creating a social media account. If a child under 13 years of age falsely reports their age and creates a social media account, they are not protected by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA makes it illegal for operators of websites or online services to collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. However, according to this 2022 survey, 68 percent of pre-teens were using social media applications. This is because age is self-reported.
Social media use can be detrimental to a child’s health. According to an advisory from the Surgeon General, exposure to social media may perpetuate body dysmorphia, eating disorders, social comparison, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. It was also found that compulsive or uncontrollable social media usage has been linked to poor sleeping habits, attention problems, and feelings of exclusion among adolescents.
Another concern is that extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content is easily accessible on social media. While death may not be the intended outcome, dangerous social media challenges can cause serious injuries, poisonings, or even death. Such challenges include the Tide POD challenge, the “blackout” challenge, and the “blue whale” challenge. The final ‘task’ in the “blue whale” challenge is for the participant to commit suicide.
You might ask yourself why a child would participate in such a trend. It directly relates to brain development. The part of the brain that handles rational thought, the prefrontal cortex, is not yet fully developed. Therefore, a child is more likely to act impulsively and not consider the consequences of their actions.
It is important to have open-minded, non-judgmental conversations with your child about social media. Create a safe space to communicate. Offer support if your child is experiencing distress or suicidal ideation. Check out our “Resources” section for more information.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not alone. If you are in danger of acting on suicidal thoughts, call 911. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline
- Know The Signs: Suicide Is Preventable
- California Suicide Prevention and Resources
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory
- Dangerous Online Challenges
Safety Tips
- Be present on the social media platforms kids use. Create an account for each and add your child as a Friend to monitor activity.
- Go through your child’s Friends lists. Who are they friends with? Do they know them in real life? What do they talk about?
- Establish limiting your child’s screen time on social media to two hours per day to promote positive mental health.
OurPact’s View & App Rules
Discover how to keep your child safe online with OurPact’s comprehensive digital parenting tools. Click here to learn how features like the “View” screenshot tool and “App Rules” help monitor and manage device usage, spot signs of cyberbullying or inappropriate content, and instantly block harmful apps. Learn how to take control of your child’s digital world and ensure a safer online experience. More details here.
SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® is a collaborative program of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) and the San Diego Police Foundation. It is designed to help kids, parents, educators, and concerned adults learn how to keep kids safe online.