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Suicide rate soars for girls as young as 10 and social media is to blame
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Suicide rates among girls aged 10 to 14 in the US have increased faster than boys in recent years, with suicide now the second leading cause of death in this age group, as reported in JAMA Pediatrics.
- Experts attribute the rise to younger access to social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, which expose girls to toxic dynamics and pressure related to physical appearance and social approval.
- The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these effects by increasing online time, reducing in-person interactions and sleep, factors linked to depression and mental health issues, especially among girls.
- Suicide rates for boys in the same age group have decreased since 2020, possibly due to eased pandemic restrictions and improved suicide prevention efforts targeting males.
- Researchers call for stricter enforcement of age limits on social media use, improved age verification, and measures like blocking access during late-night hours to reduce sleep deprivation and related mental health risks.
