The Use of Close Friends on Instagram, Help-Seeking Willingness, and Suicidality Among Hong Kong Youth: Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study.
Sikky Shiqi ChenTai Pong LamKwok Fai LamTak Lam LoDavid Vai Kiong ChaoKi Yan MakEdmund Wing Wo LamWai Sin TangHoi Yan ChanPaul Siu-Fai YipPublished in: Journal of medical Internet research (2022)
The popularity of Close Friends reflects the increasing need for private online expression among youth. This study demonstrates the importance of Close Friends for self-expression and private conversation and inadequacy of peer support for suicidal adolescents. Further research is needed to identify the causal relationship between Close Friends usage and help-seeking willingness to guide the advancement of suicide prevention strategies. Researchers and social media platforms may cooperate to co-design a risk monitoring system tailored to the private SNS context, assisting professionals in identifying youth at risk of suicide.