The Impact of Suicidality-Related Internet Use: A Prospective Large Cohort Study with Young and Middle-Aged Internet Users

Abstract

BackgroundThere has been no study that has allowed clear conclusions about the impact of suicide-related or mental health consultation-related internet use.AimTo investigate the impacts of suicide-related or mental health consultation-related internet use.MethodsWe conducted prospective observational longitudinal study with data collection at baseline screening (T0), 1 week after T0 (T1) and 7 weeks after T0 (T2). Participants with a stratified random sampling from 744,806 internet users were 20–49 years of age who employed the internet for suicide-related or mental health consultation-related reasons and internet users who did not. The main outcome was suicidal ideation. Secondary outcome measures comprised hopelessness, depression/anxiety, and loneliness.ResultsThe internet users who had employed the internet for suicide-related or mental health consultation-related reasons at T0 (n = 2813), compared with those who had not (n = 2682), showed a significant increase in suicidal ideation (β = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.20–0.55) and depression/anxiety (β = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.12–0.61) from T1 to T2. Those who disclosed their own suicidal ideation and browsed for information about suicide methods on the web showed increased suicidal ideation (β = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.23–0.88; β = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26–0.63, respectively). Although mental health consultation with an anonymous other online did not increase suicidal ideation, increased depression/anxiety was observed (β = 0.34, 95%CI: −0.03–0.71).ConclusionsAn increased suicidal ideation was observed in the young and middle-aged who employed the internet for suicide-related or mental health consultation-related reasons. Mental health consultation via the internet was not useful, but those who did so showed worsened depression/anxiety.

Young people who access harm-advocating online content: A four-country survey

“…Longitudinal studies by Sueki reported similar findings, indicating that suicide-related internet use (e.g. accessing information about suicide methods) increased suicidal ideation and depression (Sueki, 2013;Sueki, Yonemoto, Takeshima, & Inagaki, 2014).…”

“…Although some young people may have life affirming goals when searching for harm advocating material (Sueki & Eichenberg, 2012;Daine et al, 2013), the general impacts of accessing harm-advocating online material are negative (Sueki et al, 2014). It is therefore important to recognize the existence of harm-advocating and extreme online communities and the relative ease with which young people may encounter this material and the communities producing it.…”

“…The purpose of our study was not, however, to measure the potential negative impact of harm-advocating material, but rather to show who is most likely to encounter such material. As noted earlier, there are only a few longitudinal studies concerning online usage (Dunlop et al, 2011;Noll et al, 2013;Sueki et al, 2014). Future studies should go into the longitudinal direction.…”

“…Regulatory practices concerning harm advocating online material have been suggested (Sueki et al, 2014). At the same time it is important to note that user-communities themselves often oppose harmful ideas online, acting as positive support communities .…”

Life and Death in the Mental-Health Blogosphere: An Analysis of Blog Content and Survival

“…This exposure may, in turn, have adverse effects on users, contributing to negative perceived body image, knowledge and engagement in unhealthy weight loss techniques, and lower overall quality of life (Jett, LaPorte, and Wanchisn, 2010;Peebles et al, 2012;Rouleau & von Ranson, 2011). The same is true for websites that promote or condone suicide and non-suicidal self-injury where evidence suggests a correlation between online content, suicidal ideation, and knowledge about engaging in and/or concealing the behaviors highlighted (Durkee, Hadlaczky, Westerland, & Carli, 2011;Harris, McLean, & Sheffield, 2009;Lewis, Rosenrot, & Messner, 2012;Sueki, Yonemoto, Takeshima, & Inagaki, 2014).…”