Research reportThe association of suicide-related Twitter use with suicidal behaviour: A cross-sectional study of young internet users in Japan

BackgroundInfodemiology studies for suicide prevention have become increasingly common in recent years. However, the association between Twitter use and suicide has only been partially clarified. This study examined the association between suicide-related tweets and suicidal behaviour to identify suicidal young people on the Internet.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using Internet survey panels (n=220,848) comprising users in their 20s, through a major Japanese Internet survey company. Final analyses included the data of 1000 participants.ResultsOf the participants (n=1000) used in the final analysis, 61.3% were women and the mean age was 24.9 years (SD=2.9, range=20-29). Logistic regression analyses showed that tweeting “want to die” and “want to commit suicide” was significantly related to suicidal ideation and behaviour. Lifetime suicide attempts, the most powerful predictor of future suicide out of all suicidal behaviours, were more strongly associated with tweeting “want to commit suicide” than tweeting “want to die”. Having a Twitter account and tweeting daily were not associated with suicidal behaviour.LimitationsAn online panel survey has some inherent biases, such as coverage bias. Respondents were already registered as members of a particular Internet survey company in Japan, which limits the possibility of generalization.ConclusionsTwitter logs may be used to identify suicidal young Internet users. This study provides a basis for the early identification of individuals at high risk for suicide.