Online safety when considering self-harm and suicide-related content: Perspectives of young people, policymakers, and social media companies

Young people are disproportionately impacted by self-harm and suicide, and concerns exist regarding the role of social media and exposure to unsafe content. Governments and social media companies have taken various approaches to address online safety for young people when it comes to self-harm and suicide, however, little is known about whether key stakeholders believe current approaches are fit-for-purpose. The present study aimed to explore the perceived challenges and views regarding young people communicating on social media about self-harm and suicide, as well as what more social media companies and governments could be doing to keep young people safe online. This qualitative study involved six focus groups with Australian young people aged 12-25 years (n = 7), Australian policymakers (n = 14), and professionals from international social media companies (n = 7). Framework analysis was used to summarize and chart the data for each stakeholder group. Three primary themes and six sub-themes are presented and speak to the challenges and concerns for young people communicating online about self-harm and suicide, the roles and responsibilities for online safety and suicide prevention, and the use of social media safety features and policies. Findings highlight the importance of cross-industry collaborations and consideration of social media in future suicide prevention solutions intended to support young people.