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Social media
Social media can play a positive role in raising awareness of suicide prevention, but it can be negative when used incorrectly.
Understanding the impact of social media
Social media can play a positive role in raising awareness of suicide as a social and public health issue. It can inform people about suicide, signs to look out for, promote sources of help and support and provide a positive space for discussing wider issues about the topic. However, it can also be used negatively by spreading misinformation, increasing stigma or sensationalise a death.
Pause before you post. This information will help you use social media safely.
Social media do's and don'ts
Social media can be as a useful tool in providing information, guidance and support to reach people in crisis.
However, as it may be open to others, this can led to comments or messages that can spread wider than intended. The Samaritans have the following advice:
- Ask yourself why you are posting, think about the potential impact your post may have to others.
- Use a trigger warning if appropriate, e.g. “Trigger warning – this post discusses suicidal feelings”.
- Use sensitive language - try to use phrases like ‘ended their own life’, rather than ‘committed suicide’ which can make it sound like a crime or a sin. Avoid language that suggests suicide is quick, painless, or a solution to a problem.
- Signpost to support, is there a way you can link to support sites or information, encourage others to reach out and be clear that support is out there and suicide can be prevented.
- Don’t speculate, try not to speculate about changes in suicide rates or details around an individual’s suicide or attempt to take their life.
- Be mindful, if you are talking about people who have died by suicide think about the message you are sending. Think about positive messages about their life rather than suggesting their suicide has achieved something e.g. ‘they are in a better place’ as someone who is vulnerable might identify with them and consider copying their actions.
- Never post details about suicide methods or locations, if you see posts with descriptions of methods, you should report it to the site where you saw it.
- Think about how often you post, regular posts about suicide can be distressing for you and others.
- Be careful about what you repost/share - unhelpful posts about suicide can help to spread unintentional harmful messages to thousands of people online. Try to only share posts that come from reputable sources that talk about suicide in a safe and sensitive way.
- Share hope, recovery and positivity - positive stories about people overcoming a crisis and how they have recovered from this can encourage vulnerable people to seek help and is associated with fewer suicides.
Other information and advice about what you share on social media can be found at:
#Chatsafe guidelinesSamaritans - how to talk about suicide safely online
Cyberbullying
Just because we sit behind a screen more and more, doesn’t mean our words carry any less impact. If you are a victim of cyberbullying there are people you can talk to.
Bullying of any form is very distressing, but particularly when it is done through digital platforms, which is known as cyberbullying (e.g. through your phone, gaming device, social media, apps or other software). Cyberbullying can be relentless, as individuals can experience this 24/7 and potentially anywhere.
Cyberbullying can take on many forms and ranges from ‘name calling’ and rumour spreading to harassment, grooming and blackmail. Taking action against cyberbullying can be very difficult but here are some tips:
- Traceable – people behind posts can be traced by the police. Every time you visit a website or post online, your internet service provider will have an electronic note of your activity. Even if someone has created an anonymous email address people can still be traced.
- Keep safe by using unusual passwords. Keep passwords unique, safe and hidden. If you are at all worried, change them.
Sign out of public computers. If you are using a public or shared computer such as one in a library, computer shop, or even a shared family computer, be sure to sign out before you leave.
Being bullied online can affect someone enormously. It can affect a person’s self-esteem, confidence and social skills. Get support from family, friends, school or work. Speak to supportive colleagues or teachers. Charities such as BullyingUK can help too.
Post about a death responsibly
Speculation about a death or the circumstances surrounding a person dying can easily be misreported or wrongly repeated as fact. Double check the reliability and trustworthiness of online sources of information.
Consider the impact on families and friends before using or sharing images on social media to illustrate a story. Emotive imagery can be very distressing for families and friends, and can glamourise a death or lead vulnerable individuals to over-identify with the deceased.