A report released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found out that more and more Americans aged between 10 and 24 fall victim to suicide and homicide.
The report crunched data from 2007 to 2017 and found a spike in the number of suicides by 56 percent. The study reveals 10.6 deaths per 1000 compared to a 6.8 deaths per 1000 in the period 2000-2007 among that particular American demographic.
In the case of homicide, the number of cases showed a steady decline from 2007 to 2014. But, that went upward in three years climbing from 6.7 deaths per thousand to 7.9.
Here’s a summary of the report–
You can read the full report here.
Experts have stated that this rise in the number of cases can be attributed to Social media, especially among the female population. The need to feel validated online on different social platforms has turned teens sensitive. They feel the need to monitor their social media 24/7, craving for virtual likes and follows so that they could have enjoy a temporary ‘bliss’. There’s nothing wrong in getting a little red notification when someone has liked or commented on your Instagram or Facebook post. But it is the addiction that drives a person to an despicable extent to commit something rash like a suicide.
I am sure, at this moment, or someone close to you who’s in the midst of an online abuse or some feud on social media. Or, it might as well as be you. While we might not know what you or your loved ones are going through, the first step is to keep a cool head.
Social media is good, but feeling trapped in the stream of negative feedback is something you need to watch out.