Digital trigger: exposure to harmful content and suicidal risk among adolescents [Articol]

Abstract

The exposure of adolescents to harmful digital content, particularly on social media platforms, represents a major concern for contemporary mental health. Adolescence is a vulnerable stage of emotional development, and the online environment can amplify risks through recommendation algorithms, lack of content filtering, and the indirect promotion of self-harm or suicidal discourse. This article analyzes the mechanisms through which such content acts as a psychological “digital trigger” for young people predisposed to emotional fragility, drawing on recent research, international statistics, and documented case studies. The correlation between excessive consumption of harmful materials and the emergence of depressive symptoms, body image distortions, and suicidal risk is highlighted. The paper also discusses the social and cultural implications of the phenomenon, emphasizing the role of virtual communities in reinforcing dysfunctional behaviors. Furthermore, it proposes prevention and early intervention measures such as digital education, platform accountability, and collaboration among experts in psychology, sociology, and information technology.