The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Suicide: Is It All Bad?

Abstract

Current daily practices in many emergency departments throughout the United States include providing emergency stabilization and psychiatric care for adolescents presenting with suicidal ideations and attempts. Upon presentation for care, standard nursing practices are to initiate suicide precautions. These precautions include removing all personal items from the patient, including cell phones or other electronic devices and with it, their access to social media. Although many believe this removal gives adolescents a necessary break from their peers and the social pressures associated with adolescence in the 21st century, is this practice supported by current evidence? And does it benefit adolescents, or provide additional psychological stress and anxiety, thus exacerbating their current state of crisis? The current literature review examines these questions and reveals contradictory evidence supporting detrimental and constructive effects of social media removal during adolescent emergency treatment for suicidal behaviors. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61 (4), 12–17.]