New research links digital addiction to suicidal thoughts and behavior

Increasing use of social media, video games, and mobile phones has touched so many aspects of life, and suicide risk is no exception.

A study released last month explored the link between child and adolescent use of electronic devices and mental health problems, and specifically focused on addictive use. The findings were troubling: addictive use is very common, and it’s also associated with elevated risk of suicidal ideation and behavior.

Breaking down the study results

The recent study followed over 4,000 adolescents from 2016 to 2022, analyzing each participant’s social media, mobile phone, and video game use over a four-year period. In addition to looking at total screen time, the study examined addictive use, defined as “when individuals experience difficulty stopping despite attempts to do so, as well as symptoms of withdrawal, tolerance, and relapse.”

The findings were striking. High percentages of adolescents exhibited concerning behaviors, including:

• 48% reported losing track of how much they are using their phones
• 25% said they use social media to forget about their problems
• 25% admit to spending considerable time thinking about social media
• 17% admitted trying unsuccessfully to reduce their social media use
• 11% reported negative effects on schoolwork

Most frighteningly, adolescents with high or increasing addictive use saw an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviors. This was true across all screen types (mobile phones, video games, and social media) and appeared to have a significantly greater impact than baseline screen time.

The link between digital media and suicide risk

We’ve previously discussed the link between cyberbullying and suicide risk among adolescents. Indeed, cyberbullying may be more dangerous than offline bullying, in part because it’s so pervasive. While offline bullying usually ends at the end of the school day, cyberbullying follows teens everywhere they go, because their phones are always on.

The same could be said for other negative effects of social media: addictive phone use is pervasive, and its effects on mental health aren’t easily shaken. This is one of the rising forces behind, for example, cellphone bans in schools, to give students a lengthy break from phone use, as The Lion reported.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” said one lawmaker.

“This is not just an academic bill. This is a mental health bill,” said another.

Beyond curbing phone use itself, though, we need to be aware of the effects of technology on children and teens’ mental health and, in particular, their risk of dying by suicide.

Medical professionals who work with teens need to be aware of phone use as a suicide risk factor and adjust their screening methods and interventions accordingly. Suicide risk is complex, but it can be measured, assessed, and mitigated in order to save lives.

If you have lost a loved one to suicide completion, we can help

Suicide is preventable, and too many families are left to pick up the pieces in the wake of a preventable suicide. If you have lost a child or another loved one to suicide, we would be honored to listen to your story and explain your rights and options, free of charge.

Contact the Law Offices of Skip Simpson today. We serve families throughout the United States.