The Impact of Social Media on Self-Harm Prevention: Systematic Literature Review International Research UMPO Indonesia – UTM Malaysia

Abstract

Despite extensive public and academic discussions regarding the impact of social media on self-harm (SH), a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of the existing literature has been lacking. This systematic review aimed to assess the associations between social media use and SH, encompassing suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The review examined a range of social media behaviors and experiences, including cyber victimization, cyber perpetration, exposure to and generation of SH-related content, problematic use, sexting, the perceived importance of social media, and usage frequency. A thorough search of PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, and references from prior reviews yielded 50 eligible studies. The findings predominantly indicated medium effect sizes for relationships between specific social media constructs—such as cyber victimization, SH-related social media use, and problematic social media use—and SH. Cyber victimization emerged as a significant predictor of SH, with individuals experiencing online harassment or bullying exhibiting higher rates of SH behaviors. Problematic social media use, defined by excessive and uncontrollable usage, was consistently linked to an increase in SH incidents. Exposure to and creation of SH-related content also demonstrated a notable association, suggesting that engaging with such content could normalize SH behaviors or trigger tendencies among vulnerable individuals. A significant relationship was identified between the frequency of social media use and SH, although studies on this aspect were limited. High-frequency users were more likely to report SH behaviors, indicating that spending excessive time on social media could exacerbate mental health issues. However, the causality of these relationships remains unclear, necessitating further research to determine whether social media use directly contributes to SH or if individuals with a predisposition to SH are more inclined to engage heavily with social media. Additionally, the review highlighted the role of cyber perpetration, suggesting that individuals who participate in online bullying may also be at risk for SH. The perceived importance of social media in one's social life was also correlated with SH, indicating that the more central social media is to an individual’s self-worth and social identity, the higher the risk for SH behaviors. This review emphasizes the complex interplay between various social media behaviors and SH, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and further research to better understand and mitigate these risks.