Do you believe suicide rates would decrease if social media was completely wiped off and deleted from the internet?

[Anonymous]

[MisterWack]

The suicide rate amongst young people like kids, teenagers, etc. especially girls would definitely drop significantly if social media didn’t exist HOWEVER it is worth mentioning that social media can help people feel more included, connected, and social with others to be their true selves / make bonds with those within their niche which definitely decreases suicidal tendencies amongst others. My proposal: We teach kids about cyber bullying, raise awareness on everything on the internet isn’t as it seems, misinformation/how to navigate through using common sense, critical thinking skills, and fact checking, etc., teach kids about downloading can lead to viruses, etc. Don’t BAN it, try to help people deal with it.

[gorydetails]

100%. And mental health rates would rise asa well.

[LazerBean]

Sure, but it would probably decreased more if people just started being decent parents.

[OlderAndWiser]

This question neglects the flip side of the issue. People who feel isolated and lonely may get their only social interaction online, and removing that source of stimulation might make that group more depressed and even suicidal.

[ICanSmellTheCosmos]

Username checks out.

[Chazmatazz269]

Not exactly. There’s compelling research that suggests some people, particularly young females, are addicted to social media. Those people might suicide as a result of NOT having it. Which would likely offset the other kids who don’t self delete as a result of their overall mental health improving in the absence of social media.

[hahahmm]

No. Western Society is collapsing and the rise in mental illness is a symptom of that. Society will continue to collapse with or without social media. Social media is a reflection of how society in general is rotting.

[boggboss]

Hard to say I think in some aspects it would help and others make things worse depending on the reason why the person in question would turn to suicide

[JonCobretti]

Yes but doesn't mean social media should be deleted

Driving can lead to accidents, doesn't mean we should ban driving

[SotiCoto]

Recorded suicide rates would drop massively overnight... because nobody would be aware of them happening.

[exitseven]

Yes, kids are very cruel and social media gives them a pretty big platform.

[handsomelad70]

There were suicides centuries before social media, but it certainly has caused too many folk to take their life.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but I don't consider that to be the ROOT problem. Social media should not have that big of an effect on people. I think the ROOT of the problem is how many people today feel unloved.

[AngryCarl]

No, I think social media is a red herring. Nobody commits suicide solely because of social media. Clearly something else is going on.

[Budheavy]

Just don't use it.

[nawtee_me]

Yes it would.