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Study: Rise in social media linked to rise in teen suicides

Posted at 3:56 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 17:15:33-05

MILWAUKEE -- A new study shows suicide rates are up, with the rise of social media.

Looking at Milwaukee County alone, there have been eight suicides so far this year among people 18 and under. That's four times the total number last year.

A study just published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science found, "Teens were 70 percent more likely to have suicidal thoughts or actions than those who reported one hour of daily use."

It claims the risk is higher among teenage girls. The study shows they are, "14 percent more likely to be depressed than those who used social media less frequently."

Abe Goldberg can never know why his daughter Abby took her life at just 13 years old. The star swimmer loved her friends and family.

Goldberg does however, understand the stress children can have over social media.

"Everything is forever when you're 13 years old if so and so doesn't like you they don't like you forever," Goldberg said.

The Goldberg family helped co-found REDgen. He tells us there is a high demand for people looking for help.

If you need help call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

You can also contact the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention by clicking here.