Legal Bans on Pro‐Suicide Web Sites: An Early Retrospective from Australia

Pirkis, Jane; Neal, Luke; Dare, Andrew; Blood, R. Warwick; Studdert, David M.

doi:10.1521/suli.2009.39.2.190

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Suggestions have been made for the implementation of guidance to individuals and service providers such as avoiding details of method and including warnings of graphic content on web pages [ 20 ]. Stricter regulations could be modelled on the initiative in Australia, where pro-suicide sites were banned in 2006 [ 70 ]. Several major social media platforms (Tumblr, Pintrest, Instagram, Facebook) have responded to concerns and implemented policies regarding posts related to self-harm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of the relationship between internet use, self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people: The good, the bad and the unknown

et al. 2017

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BackgroundResearch exploring internet use and self-harm is rapidly expanding amidst concerns regarding influences of on-line activities on self-harm and suicide, especially in young people. We aimed to systematically review evidence regarding the potential influence of the internet on self-harm/suicidal behaviour in young people.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review based on an electronic search for articles published between 01/01/2011 and 26/01/2015 across databases including Medline, Cochrane and PsychInfo. Articles were included if: the study examined internet use by individuals who engaged in self-harm/ suicidal behaviour, or internet use clearly related to self-harm content; reported primary empirical data; participants were aged under 25 years. New studies were combined with those identified in a previous review and subject to data extraction, quality rating and narrative synthesis.ResultsForty-six independent studies (51 articles) of varying quality were included. Perceived influences were: positive for 11 studies (38191 participants); negative for 18 studies (119524 participants); and mixed for 17 studies (35235 participants). In contrast to previous reviews on this topic studies focused on a wide range of internet mediums: general internet use; internet addiction; online intervention/treatment; social media; dedicated self-harm websites; forums; video/image sharing and blogs. A relationship between internet use and self-harm/suicidal behaviour was particularly associated with internet addiction, high levels of internet use, and websites with self-harm or suicide content. While there are negative aspects of internet use the potential for isolation reduction, outreach and as a source of help and therapy were also identified.ConclusionsThere is significant potential for harm from online behaviour (normalisation, triggering, competition, contagion) but also the potential to exploit its benefits (crisis support, reduction of social isolation, delivery of therapy, outreach). Young people appear to be increasingly using social media to communicate distress, particularly to peers. The focus should now be on how specific mediums’ (social media, video/image sharing) might be used in therapy and recovery. Clinicians working with young people who self-harm or have mental health issues should engage in discussion about internet use. This should be a standard item during assessment.A protocol for this review was registered with the PROSPERO systematic review protocol registry: (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42015019518).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of the relationship between internet use, self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people: The good, the bad and the unknown

et al. 2017

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“…In 2006, Australia became the first country to criminalize pro-suicide web sites (Pirkis et al, 2009) making it illegal to "promote" suicide via electronic means. It has resulted in some suicide information sites based in Australia being "taken down".…”

Section: Harmful or Helpful?: Virtual Communication And The Online DImentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful or helpful? The role of the internet in self-harming and suicidal behaviour in young people

Bell

2014

Mental Health Review Journal

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Purpose -The internet plays an important role in the lives of self-harming and suicidal young people yet little is known about how internet use influences this behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to examine the evidence base with a view to determining directions for future research and practice. Design/methodology/approach -Literature relating to self-harming and suicidal behaviour, young people, and the internet is reviewed with a focus on content and methodology. Findings -The internet provides access to: "how-to" descriptions of suicide; unregulated/illegal online pharmacies; forums to spread this information; access to others seeking to end their own lives. Such sites are believed to elevate risk amongst vulnerable individuals. Conversely, the internet provides access to intervention and prevention activity, online support groups, advice, and personal chat. These can be a key resource in helping young people. There is a lack of consensus on what constitutes harmful and helpful online exchange, often evidenced in disparity between the perceptions of professionals and users. Research limitations/implications -Research is needed to map out a more accurate picture of suicide and self-harm resources on the internet and to establish a consensus about what constitutes harmful and helpful exchange. This needs to be based on: a comprehensive and informed range of search terms; a clear distinction between types of resource; a clear and consistent rationale for distinguishing and categorizing sites; a systematic replicable methodology for plotting the scope, content, accessibility, and popularity of web resources at a given point in time; the views of young people who use these sites, as well as practitioners and professionals. Practical implications -Practitioners need to: regularly assess the quantity, quality, and nature of selfharm/suicide focused internet use amongst service users; be aware of which sites are most appropriate for particular individuals; promote sites directed at young people that enhance effective coping. Professional mental health organizations need to find ways of ensuring that: they are consistently well represented amongst search results online; sites are readily accessible; more practitioners are trained in text-based communications. Originality/value -This paper offers a framework and rationale for future research and for those involved in service provision, policy, and practice.

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“…Concerns were expressed that the law casts the criminal net too widely, inappropriately interferes with the autonomy of those who wish to die, and has jurisdictional limitations with off-shore web sites remaining largely immune. Conversely, proponents point out that the law may limit access to domestic pro-suicide web sites, raise awareness of internet-related suicide, mobilize community efforts to combat it, and serve a powerful expression of societal norms about the promotion of suicidal behaviour [108]. On the other hand, modern preventive and treatment approaches are increasingly using internet-based approaches with promising preliminary results [109] and, thus, internet may also be seen as a source of help under appropriate circumstances.…”

Section: Internetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescent Suicide: Epidemiology, Psychological Theories, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Pelkonen¹,

Karlsson²,

Marttunen³

2011

CPR

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Suicide is one of the most common causes of death among young people worldwide. Adolescence is a developmentally important phase of age due to the growing risk for suicide and prevalence of psychiatric disorders, as well as due to growing possibilities for prevention and treatments. Research findings in theoretical considerations, in psychological autopsy studies as well as in selected follow-up studies of clinical populations and suicide attempters analyzing risk factors for youth suicides are reviewed emphasizing the most recent data. As youth suicides are rare, research on risk factors for youth suicidal ideation, deliberate self-harm behavior and attempted suicide are also briefly reviewed. Family-related adversity, precipitating interpersonal problems, and particularly psychiatric disorders constitute risk factors for adolescent suicide. Mood disorders, substance abuse and prior suicide attempts are strongly related with youth suicides. However, recent psychological autopsy studies in China have found substantially lower rates of psychiatric disorders among suicide victims compared with those in the Western countries. Recognition and effective treatment of psychiatric disorders, e.g. depression are essential in preventing adolescent suicides. As only seldom young suicide victims have received psychiatric care, broad prevention strategies are needed in health care and social services. Education of physicians to recognize youth at risk, and restricting access to lethal means are recommended to prevent suicides. For high-risk youth providing continuity of care is important. Recent treatment studies among suicidal adolescents have reported promising results on safety planning and increased therapeutic contact early in treatment.

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Legal Bans on Pro‐Suicide Web Sites: An Early Retrospective from Australia

Cited by 23 publications

References 10 publications

A systematic review of the relationship between internet use, self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people: The good, the bad and the unknown

A systematic review of the relationship between internet use, self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people: The good, the bad and the unknown

Harmful or helpful? The role of the internet in self-harming and suicidal behaviour in young people

Adolescent Suicide: Epidemiology, Psychological Theories, Risk Factors, and Prevention

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