Social Media Use Is Associated With Suicidal Ideation in Early Adolescence: The Role of Visual Cybervictimization

Abstract

This study delves into the critical issue of suicidal ideation among early adolescents aged 10 to 14, where suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death globally. Suicidal ideation is closely linked to other psychological distress indicators and high-risk behaviors, particularly among early adolescents. These individuals are also vulnerable to cyberbullying, and the rise of visual social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube has transformed their social interactions. The study involved 1143 middle-school students in Northern Italy with a mean age of 12.34 (SD = 0.97; females 53.2%), using a self-report questionnaire to gather data on social media usage, bullying behaviors, and suicidal ideation. Statistical analyses included Spearman rank-order correlations, Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Fisher's exact tests, and mediation models. The findings revealed significant correlations between daily use of specific visual social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram was positively associated with both visual cyberbullying and suicidal ideation. Gender differences were observed in the associations, and mediation analysis confirmed that the relationship between social media use and suicidal ideation was mediated by involvement in visual cyberbullying episodes.This study underscores the intricate relationships between visual social media use, visual cyberbullying, and suicidal ideation among early adolescents. It emphasizes the responsibility of social media platforms in creating safer digital environments for young users.