Are Social Networks Responsible for Teen Suicides?

Within the past year, the area surrounding town of Bridgend in Wales has been rocked with no less than 14 young people taking their own lives. In the past days, two more suicides of young people living in the area have been reported.

Deep in to each article about this growing trend are often paragraphs mentioning each lost teenager were part of the Bebo social network, and knew each other. This, coupled with the geographical location, has lead to fears of a suicide pact, or secret organisation where members take their own life for fame.

The story is distressing to many that have never even been to Wales, but for those interested in social media, the Bebo angle, plus the fame aspect, is a trend that I do not believe should be ignored.

I have always been of the opinion that it is the person using the tool, not the tool itself, that is the issue - akin to the phrase "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". I am still of this view, vehemently, and so would argue against anyone Bebo, if indeed it's offerings have been used in any way in this tragedy. Certainly in this tragic case, you cannot argue this is a widespread phenomenon.

Many reports of the British press have mentioned eulogy websites for those that have died, some suggesting their social network profiles of kind messages of sympathy are part of the young people's motivation for suicide. That either dedicated sites, or existing profile pages, are filled with messages that maybe they feel haven't been given whilst alive. A permanent memory of them - fame.

Some would say, especially right-wing press here in Britain, that social networks (or the entire internet) needs policing, and monitoring. They will howl that any tool used in freedom by young people will poison them. Even if the only evidence for such measures is extremely rare cases such as this.

I cannot agree with them, maybe you do? Maybe the fact that most social networking applications are used by a young, vulnerable, impressionable demographic urges you to consider its true merits, taking in to account possible downsides.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I would also like to extend my heart-felt sympathies to all those involved in these tragic and unfair circumstances.

Matt Harwood
mattharwood.co.uk