Is the digital generation depressed?

“Two ten and thirteen-year-old children from Lorestan committed suicide on August 18, 2022 by hanging and shooting themselves. According to the news agency “Hrana”, from April to August 20, 2022, thirty-three cases of suicide among children and adolescents aged eleven to eighteen have been reported in the country, and only five of them have been saved. The increase in the rate of suicide attempts in recent years is one of the major concerns of mental health activists. According to Maryam Abbasnejad, director of the Suicide Prevention Program at the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Office, official statistics only show a small portion of the reality about suicide in the country during President Hassan Rouhani’s term. The number of suicide attempts, according to her, is like a huge iceberg hidden under the ocean. Many unsuccessful suicide attempts are never officially recorded. Concerns about suicide are not only in Iran, but also in the world, have turned this phenomenon into an important

Thirty-three cases in just five months

According to the statistics of researchers in the field of social sciences in Iran, suicide rates have increased by sixty percent in the past four years (from 1394 to 1398). These statistics are related to the pre-pandemic era of the coronavirus. The rate of suicide and domestic violence has increased during the epidemic of the coronavirus, according to official and unofficial statistics. Official statistics on suicide attempts and successful suicides have not been published so far in 1400. According to the news agency “Hrana”, from April 1401 to August 20, 33 cases of suicide attempts (mostly successful) have been reported among children and adolescents aged 11 to 18 in the country, and only five of them have been saved. Ninety percent of suicides have been committed for unknown reasons. In known cases, family problems and poverty have been cited as the reasons for suicide. Suicide has mostly occurred among 11 to 17 year olds. Hanging oneself has been the most common

The gap between legality and reality.

Children and teenagers of the new generation have been immersed in the digital world since birth; their parents quickly shared their birth on social networks. This generation has grown up with social networks, messaging apps, and online services. For them, a smartphone is not just a device, but a virtual village; a world they often prefer over the real one. Unlike previous generations who value real relationships, the new generation spends more time on the internet and in virtual spaces. Online and digital games, live chat rooms, and 24/7 live streams are part of their daily routine. They even get basic information from search engines like Google. Exploring and experiencing the outside world, reading physical books, and participating in engaging discussions and conversations have less appeal to them. With the increasing rates of depression and suicide among teenagers in the country, can we establish a direct or indirect relationship between the excessive use of virtual spaces and the suicide rate?

Meeting and embarrassment

Suicidal thoughts and actions are more commonly seen among the youth population; regardless of any generation, during adolescence due to hormonal changes and entering a new stage of life, which can be considered as entering adulthood. However, the adolescent has not acquired the necessary skills to manage this new situation. Their previous social skills are not effective in dealing with current issues; because they are overwhelmed by psychological and social conflicts. Nevertheless, can suicide be attributed to a specific factor?

Dr. Shahnaz Kaveh, a child and adolescent psychologist, speaks about the increase in teenage suicide rates in “Peace Line”: “There are various factors involved in suicide. The most important causes of suicide are mentioned to be biological, psychological, and social; meaning that suicide has multiple causes and cannot be attributed to one specific factor. The individual’s biological and physiological conditions, psychological state, and social circumstances create a continuous environment in which suicidal thoughts can arise. Ultimately, with stress or a traumatic event, these thoughts may turn into actions. Seventy percent of teenagers experience mood swings. These fluctuations are attributed to hormonal changes during this period, which can contribute to the severity of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. A very permissive or strict parenting style is also another factor in suicide. Family conflicts and inappropriate reactions to teenage behavior have been identified as one of the most important reasons for suicide.”

She talks about the relationship between depression and the use of virtual space: “Adolescents, being susceptible to depression and anxiety, often experience mild to moderate levels of depression at this age. Therefore, spending too much time in virtual space can exacerbate an individual’s level of depression. It cannot be directly attributed to the use of virtual space as the cause of increased depression in adolescents, but many factors in the use of virtual space can contribute to worsening an individual’s depression.” Shahinaz Kaveh speaks about the indirect impact of the digital world on adolescents: “The important point about social media is that only successes are displayed; failures are rarely mentioned. By comparing their lives to the colorful window display they see on Instagram, adolescents may feel frustrated and depressed. At this age, the ability to analyze situations is very limited. Spending too much time in a world that does not align with reality and is not accessible to them can lead them towards depression.”

The destructive impact of artificial intelligence

How does using social media lead to increased depression? How can social media have a negative impact on teenagers? Caroline Miller, director of the “Child Mind” institute, reports in a study on the evidence of a link between social media and depression in teenagers. According to her, in several recent studies conducted in the United States, depression has been reported among teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms, to a significant extent (thirteen to sixty-six percent); of course, these studies only show a correlation (not causation). The increase in depression in the study group coincided with an increase in the use of smartphones. Another study (increase in depression symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among US teenagers after 2010 and links to increased media consumption) was conducted in 2017 on over half a million eighth to twelfth grade students. The research evidence shows a thirty-three percent increase in depression symptoms between 2010 and

The necessity of simultaneous virtual and physical connections.

Psychologists believe that the electronic communications created by social media users are less emotionally satisfying. The increase in depression among virtual space users is a reason that leads to a feeling of social isolation among them. Alexandra Hamlet, a clinical psychologist at the “Child Mind” institute, says, “The less deeply and empathetically you connect with people, the less you benefit from the advantages of social interaction. Superficial interactions are more likely to create less communication. The feeling of strong connection is something we all need.” There are also exceptions to the excessive use of virtual space; for example, some girls who are heavy users of social media also maintain a high level of face-to-face social interaction. Jean Twenge’s study showed that girls who interact both in the real world and through social media show fewer signs of depression; however, it should be noted that some adolescents are not successful in establishing relationships with their peers. They are isolated or do not feel accepted in their schools and communities. Virtual communications can

Social networks and the decline of self-esteem.

The decrease in self-esteem in the discussion of depression should be addressed. This issue is evident in the comparison of teenage girls with artistic images of those who are more beautiful, thinner, more popular, and wealthier. Dr. Hamlet explains: “Many girls are bombarded with photos from their friends who post the best photos of themselves. They follow famous people and influencers who heavily photoshop their photos and have makeup and hair teams. If this daily comparison becomes their natural pattern, their self-confidence is affected.” In surveys, most young people have identified Instagram as a platform that causes feelings of anxiety, depression, and concern about their body image. Dr. Babrik, a psychologist, points out that posting a perfect image on Instagram can not only make the viewer feel inadequate, but can also be unhealthy for the poster. “Children spend a lot of time producing content and posting images of a perfect life on social media: ‘Look how happy I am! Look how beautiful I am!’ without worrying about

Less healthy activity

Lack of physical activity and striving to learn new skills and nurture talents are consequences of spending too much time on social media. Activities that do not lead to a sense of accomplishment and physical strengthening are factors that contribute to depression. Dr. Hamlet explains, “If you spend too much time on your phone, you will have less time for activities that can build self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and connection.” He also talks about children spending time on smart devices, saying, “Children who spend a lot of time on digital devices do not necessarily feel inner satisfaction. Yes, every time they receive a notification or a like on a photo or a follow request, some dopamine is released in the body, but this is more addictive than satisfying.”

Management; Exit strategy

There is no conclusive evidence about the direct relationship between the use of social media and suicide. However, there have been numerous reports of increased suicide rates after excessive use of the virtual space and digital world. Psychologists recommend that parents regularly monitor and control their children’s use of social media to prevent further harm. Parents can take steps to ensure safe use of social media.

• Focus on balance: Make sure that their children participate in face-to-face social interactions. Encourage them to engage in activities that help build identity and self-confidence.

• Disabling notifications: Developers of applications try to attract users towards themselves with notifications. They want to interrupt the user’s every action so that they are always occupied with their phones and applications.

• Teaching conscious use of social media: Encourage adolescents to be honest with themselves about the time spent on social media and the emotions it creates. Avoid interactions that cause stress or discomfort.

• Limitation and balance of use: Emphasize the importance of disconnecting from media to spend quality family time together, including having dinner without phones and other activities. Children may resist, but they will understand the benefits.

• Time without a phone before bed: Enforce the rule of not having a smartphone in the bedroom after a certain time. Use an old-fashioned alarm clock to wake up.