The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people

Background There is concern that the internet is playing an increasing role in self-harm and suicide. In this study we systematically review and analyse research literature to determine whether there is evidence that the internet influences the risk of self-harm or suicide in young people. Methods A...

Täydet tiedot

Bibliografiset tiedot
Päätekijät: Daine, K, Hawton, K, Singaravelu, V, Stewart, A, Simkin, S, Montgomery, P
Aineistotyyppi: Journal article
Kieli:English
Julkaistu: Public Library of Science 2013
_version_ 1826263242529308672
author Daine, K
Hawton, K
Singaravelu, V
Stewart, A
Simkin, S
Montgomery, P
author_facet Daine, K
Hawton, K
Singaravelu, V
Stewart, A
Simkin, S
Montgomery, P
author_sort Daine, K
collection OXFORD
description Background There is concern that the internet is playing an increasing role in self-harm and suicide. In this study we systematically review and analyse research literature to determine whether there is evidence that the internet influences the risk of self-harm or suicide in young people. Methods An electronic literature search was conducted using the PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. Articles of interest were those that included empirical data on the internet, self-harm or suicide, and young people. The articles were initially screened based on titles and abstracts, then by review of the full publications, after which those included in the review were subjected to data extraction, thematic analysis and quality rating. Results Youth who self-harm or are suicidal often make use of the internet. It is most commonly used for constructive reasons such as seeking support and coping strategies, but may exert a negative influence, normalising self-harm and potentially discouraging disclosure or professional help-seeking. The internet has created channels of communication that can be misused to ‘cyber-bully’ peers; both cyber-bullying and general internet use have been found to correlate with increased risk of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and depression. Correlations have also been found between internet exposure and violent methods of self-harm. Conclusions Internet use may exert both positive and negative effects on young people at risk of self-harm or suicide. Careful high quality research is needed to better understand how internet media may exert negative influences and should also focus on how the internet might be utilised to intervene with vulnerable young people.
first_indexed 2024-03-06T19:48:37Z
format Journal article
id oxford-uuid:2333f15a-27e3-44b6-8e7b-806883b62a3c
institution University of Oxford
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-06T19:48:37Z
publishDate 2013
publisher Public Library of Science
record_format dspace
spelling oxford-uuid:2333f15a-27e3-44b6-8e7b-806883b62a3c2022-03-26T11:42:59ZThe power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young peopleJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:2333f15a-27e3-44b6-8e7b-806883b62a3cEnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordPublic Library of Science2013Daine, KHawton, KSingaravelu, VStewart, ASimkin, SMontgomery, PBackground There is concern that the internet is playing an increasing role in self-harm and suicide. In this study we systematically review and analyse research literature to determine whether there is evidence that the internet influences the risk of self-harm or suicide in young people. Methods An electronic literature search was conducted using the PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. Articles of interest were those that included empirical data on the internet, self-harm or suicide, and young people. The articles were initially screened based on titles and abstracts, then by review of the full publications, after which those included in the review were subjected to data extraction, thematic analysis and quality rating. Results Youth who self-harm or are suicidal often make use of the internet. It is most commonly used for constructive reasons such as seeking support and coping strategies, but may exert a negative influence, normalising self-harm and potentially discouraging disclosure or professional help-seeking. The internet has created channels of communication that can be misused to ‘cyber-bully’ peers; both cyber-bullying and general internet use have been found to correlate with increased risk of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and depression. Correlations have also been found between internet exposure and violent methods of self-harm. Conclusions Internet use may exert both positive and negative effects on young people at risk of self-harm or suicide. Careful high quality research is needed to better understand how internet media may exert negative influences and should also focus on how the internet might be utilised to intervene with vulnerable young people.
spellingShingle Daine, K
Hawton, K
Singaravelu, V
Stewart, A
Simkin, S
Montgomery, P
The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title_full The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title_fullStr The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title_full_unstemmed The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title_short The power of the web: a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self-harm and suicide in young people
title_sort power of the web a systematic review of studies of the influence of the internet on self harm and suicide in young people
work_keys_str_mv AT dainek thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT hawtonk thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT singaraveluv thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT stewarta thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT simkins thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT montgomeryp thepowerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT dainek powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT hawtonk powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT singaraveluv powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT stewarta powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT simkins powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople
AT montgomeryp powerofthewebasystematicreviewofstudiesoftheinfluenceoftheinternetonselfharmandsuicideinyoungpeople