Patterns of media and social media consumption associated with suicidal ideation in Spanish children

Abstract

Child suicide is a critical public health issue in Spain. From 2020 to 2021, the child suicide rate rose by approximately 57%, with 22 children aged 15 or younger taking their own lives in 2021 compared to 14 in 2020. This phenomenon is complex, with psychological, social, and economic factors potentially influencing a young person’s decision to end their life. Among these, some researchers caution that certain media and social media exposures may increase or mitigate suicidal ideation, which remains the key factor to address in preventing child suicide. This study primarily aims to compare differences in suicidal ideation among Spanish children exposed to various types of media and social media content. Specifically, we focus on a) identifying which media formats might be protective or increase risk in this population; and b) identifying factors associated with suicidal ideation related to media and social media use in this age group. In this non-experimental study, we surveyed 804 Spanish children aged 10 to 15 years. Our multivariable models identified three variables consistently associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation: frequent online searches for information about suicide, regularly posting private photos on social media, and regularly viewing contests or reality shows.