Preventing suicide and other self-harm
Because Facebook is a reflection of their lives, young people sometimes use
the service to reach out for help or to express themselves in ways that
indicate they have a serious problem, including eating disorders, drug or
alcohol abuse or even suicidal thoughts (here is a list of suicide warning signs:
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/SuicideWarningSigns.aspx).
If you suspect someone is likely to harm him or herself, contact local law
enforcement immediately. You can also contact a helpline. For example, in the
United States you could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-
273-8255. The Lifeline offers free 24-hour support seven days a week. You
can find information on suicide prevention hotlines in other countries at
www.befrienders.org/.
If you see something on a person’s profile that indicates that he or she is
engaged in dangerous activity, see if you can find appropriate ways to reach
34
out. There are agencies in almost every country that provide information on
and help for a wide variety of risky or self-destructive behaviors.
Facebook has a Help page on suicide that provides a link to where you can
report suicidal content to the site. You can find it by searching for suicide in
the Help Center or by going directly to www.facebook.com/help?faq=15538.
CONCLUSION
By now it should be clear that Facebook is a giant social networking site
providing a large, diverse array of services and features. It is also a reflection
of and platform for the thoughts, actions, creativity, and learning of a large
cross-section of humanity. How people use the site is very individual, and
keeping their experiences on the site positive depends a great deal on how
they use it and interact with others on it. This is just as true for young
Facebook users as it is for grownup ones.
Because Facebook use is based on real names and identities, it’s directly tied
to “real life” – in the case of young people, mostly school life and
relationships. So, just as in offline life, children need their parents’ help as
they navigate both adolescence and the social Web. You can help them
understand...
● How important it is for their own online well-being to be mindful of what they
say, share, and upload (as well as send on mobile phones)
● How smart it is to present themselves in a positive light online
● How much better their online experiences will be if they stay on good terms
with others in their online as well as offline communities.
We hope this guide helps you, fellow parents, to support your children’s
positive use of this very popular part of their lives, Facebook.
Because Facebook is a reflection of their lives, young people sometimes use
the service to reach out for help or to express themselves in ways that
indicate they have a serious problem, including eating disorders, drug or
alcohol abuse or even suicidal thoughts (here is a list of suicide warning signs:
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/SuicideWarningSigns.aspx).
If you suspect someone is likely to harm him or herself, contact local law
enforcement immediately. You can also contact a helpline. For example, in the
United States you could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-
273-8255. The Lifeline offers free 24-hour support seven days a week. You
can find information on suicide prevention hotlines in other countries at
www.befrienders.org/.
If you see something on a person’s profile that indicates that he or she is
engaged in dangerous activity, see if you can find appropriate ways to reach
34
out. There are agencies in almost every country that provide information on
and help for a wide variety of risky or self-destructive behaviors.
Facebook has a Help page on suicide that provides a link to where you can
report suicidal content to the site. You can find it by searching for suicide in
the Help Center or by going directly to www.facebook.com/help?faq=15538.
CONCLUSION
By now it should be clear that Facebook is a giant social networking site
providing a large, diverse array of services and features. It is also a reflection
of and platform for the thoughts, actions, creativity, and learning of a large
cross-section of humanity. How people use the site is very individual, and
keeping their experiences on the site positive depends a great deal on how
they use it and interact with others on it. This is just as true for young
Facebook users as it is for grownup ones.
Because Facebook use is based on real names and identities, it’s directly tied
to “real life” – in the case of young people, mostly school life and
relationships. So, just as in offline life, children need their parents’ help as
they navigate both adolescence and the social Web. You can help them
understand...
● How important it is for their own online well-being to be mindful of what they
say, share, and upload (as well as send on mobile phones)
● How smart it is to present themselves in a positive light online
● How much better their online experiences will be if they stay on good terms
with others in their online as well as offline communities.
We hope this guide helps you, fellow parents, to support your children’s
positive use of this very popular part of their lives, Facebook.
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