Background Concerns exist regarding the relationship between social media use, self-harm and suicide. However, there is little robust data on the extent to which individuals share suicide-related content on social media, the extent to which they are exposed to this content and the impact on wellbeing.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered to Australian social media users in 2024. Participants were recruited via a probability panel; surveys are quota controlled and responses weighted to increase representativeness. The survey measured demographics, lived experience of self-harm/suicide, exposure to, and posting of, self-harm/suicide content on social media and perceived impact.
Data collection and analysis is underway. Descriptive statistics have been used to examine demographic characteristics, social media use, exposure to self-harm/suicide content, perceived impact and views on current social media policies. Regression models will examine any association between these variables, lived experience of self-harm/suicide, and wellbeing.
Results To date, 3177 people have completed the survey. Respondents were aged >15 (mean=45.6). 53% identified as female, 46% as male and 1% as trans or gender diverse. 15% identified as LGBTQIA+. 3% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 28% were born outside Australia. 56% reported lived experience of self-harm or suicide
Preliminary analysis indicates that 10% of respondents had posted about self-harm or suicide and 9% were part of an online self-harm or suicide community. 18% reported using social media to seek support for self-harm/suicide. The most common reasons given for this were: to connect with others with similar experiences (46%); it was free and easy to access (43%); not wanting to burden friends/ family (41%); a distraction from self-harm/ suicide (40%). 50% of the sample reported seeing self-harm/suicide-related content on social media. Of them 21% had actively sought out this content. 43% were exposed to this content under the age of 16. 17% reported having engaged in self-harm as a result of content they were exposed to. The full dataset will be presented.
Conclusions The findings suggest that social media can play an important role for people experiencing self-harm or suicide. However, there are clearly risks of being exposed to this type of content for some users. These findings will form the basis of a set of guidance for policymakers and platforms.