Youth suicide remains the leading cause of death among young Australians, demanding urgent, multifaceted responses across both offline and online contexts. The seamless integration of digital technologies and social media in the lives of young people means these platforms offer powerful tools for suicide prevention, early intervention, and postvention support. These platforms can amplify public health messaging, facilitate peer-to-peer support, and expand access to crisis services and mental health resources. However, the same digital spaces that present these opportunities also carry significant risks. Concerns persist regarding young people’s exposure to harmful or distressing content, misinformation, and the potential for social media to exacerbate mental ill-health, self-harm, and suicidal behaviour. As such, it is essential to approach online environments with a critical lens, ensuring that protective mechanisms and evidence-informed strategies are in place to mitigate these risks for all users.
This presentation will explore the dual nature of social media in the context of youth suicide prevention. It will showcase current research and practical insights from the #chatsafe program, Australia’s leading digital suicide prevention initiative designed to equip young people with the tools to communicate safely online about self-harm and suicide. Drawing on the latest evidence, the session will highlight how social media can be responsibly harnessed to support vulnerable youth populations. Considering Australia’s introduction of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, this presentation will provide timely reflection on how we can ensure social media remains safe, inclusive and supportive for all young people.