Information-seeking on the Internet: An investigation of websites potentially accessed by distressed or suicidal adolescents

Résumé

textbfBACKGROUND: The Internet is used by young people at risk of self-harm to communicate, find information, and obtain support. textbfAIMS: We aimed to identify and analyze websites potentially accessed by these young people. textbfMETHOD: Six search terms, relating to self-harm/suicide and depression, were input into four search engines. Websites were analyzed for access, content/purpose, and tone. textbfRESULTS: In all, 314 websites were included in the analysis. Most could be accessed without restriction. Sites accessed by self-harm/suicide search terms were mostly positive or preventive in tone, whereas sites accessed by the term ways to kill yourself tended to have a negative tone. Information about self-harm methods was common with specific advice on how to self-harm in 15.8% of sites, encouragement of self-harm in 7.0%, and evocative images of self-harm/suicide in 20.7%. Advice on how to get help was given in 56.1% of sites. textbfCONCLUSION: Websites relating to suicide or self-harm are easily accessed. Many sites are potentially helpful. However, a significant proportion of sites are potentially harmful through normalizing or encouraging self-harm. Enquiry regarding Internet use should be routinely included while assessing young people at risk. ADOLESCENT INTERNET RECHERCHE INFORMATION COMPORTEMENT-SUICIDAIRE