A Featured Presentation delivered at the 2015 Annual Conference of the New York State School Boards Association on October 19, 2015 in New York, NY.

1. Teens, Technology, andTeens, Technology, and
SuicideSuicide
Joanne L. Harpel, Mphil, JDJoanne L. Harpel, Mphil, JD
Understanding Causes, Effects, andUnderstanding Causes, Effects, and
“Bullycide”“Bullycide”
Frederick S. Lane, JDFrederick S. Lane, JD

2. The Four MillennialsThe Four Millennials

3. Burlington School BoardBurlington School Board

4. CybertrapsCybertraps

5. The Mobile Revolution - 1The Mobile Revolution - 1

6. The Mobile Revolution - 2The Mobile Revolution - 2

7. Exploiting the Teen MarketExploiting the Teen Market
• 2001 – An Estimated 20% of Teens Use a2001 – An Estimated 20% of Teens Use a
CellphoneCellphone
• Cellphone Companies Begin TargetingCellphone Companies Begin Targeting
Marketing at TeensMarketing at Teens
• 2006 – Teen Cellphone Use Doubles to 40%2006 – Teen Cellphone Use Doubles to 40%
• 2009 – 83%2009 – 83%
• 2014 – 88%2014 – 88%
• Average Age of 1Average Age of 1stst
Cellphone Use: <10Cellphone Use: <10

8. How Teens Use Mobile DevicesHow Teens Use Mobile Devices
• Texting (88%)Texting (88%)
• Instant Messaging (79%)Instant Messaging (79%)
• Social Media (72%)Social Media (72%)
• Email (64%)Email (64%)
• Video Chat (59%)Video Chat (59%)
• Video Games (52%)Video Games (52%)
• Messaging Apps (42%)Messaging Apps (42%)

9. Communication CybertrapsCommunication Cybertraps
• CyberbullyingCyberbullying
• CyberharassmentCyberharassment
• CyberstalkingCyberstalking
• SextingSexting
• SextortionSextortion

10. Victims and VectorsVictims and Vectors
• Approximately 7 out of 10 Teens Report BeingApproximately 7 out of 10 Teens Report Being
CyberbulliedCyberbullied
• Just Under 25% Admit to Sending Sexts (AmongJust Under 25% Admit to Sending Sexts (Among
Millennials, the Rate Is Almost 50%)Millennials, the Rate Is Almost 50%)
• Most Common Methods of Cyberabuse:Most Common Methods of Cyberabuse:
• Texting/Instant MessagingTexting/Instant Messaging
• FacebookFacebook
• TwitterTwitter
• InstagramInstagram
• Ask.fmAsk.fm
• Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Kik,Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Kik, etc.etc.

11. Contributing FactorsContributing Factors
• Perception of AnonymityPerception of Anonymity
• Lack of Facial ReactionLack of Facial Reaction
• Undeveloped/Stunted EmpathyUndeveloped/Stunted Empathy
• Low Barrier to ActionLow Barrier to Action
• Capabilities Exceed Wisdom/JudgementCapabilities Exceed Wisdom/Judgement
• Insufficient SupervisionInsufficient Supervision

12. Cyberbullying and SuicideCyberbullying and Suicide
• Relationship Between Peer Victimization,Relationship Between Peer Victimization,
Cyberbullying, and Suicide in Children andCyberbullying, and Suicide in Children and
Adolescents: A Metanalysis –Adolescents: A Metanalysis – JAMAJAMA
PediatricsPediatrics, 2014, 2014
• Review of 491 Studies of Bullying and AbuseReview of 491 Studies of Bullying and Abuse
• Among the Conclusions:Among the Conclusions:
• “Cyberbullying was more strongly related to
suicidal ideation compared with traditional
bullying.”

13. The Cloud (For Most)The Cloud (For Most)

14. The Cloud (For Some)The Cloud (For Some)

15. StephenStephen

16. Suicide Is ComplicatedSuicide Is Complicated
• 90%90%
• Disorders in Teens Associated with Suicide RiskDisorders in Teens Associated with Suicide Risk
• Major Depressive DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder
• Conduct DisorderConduct Disorder
• Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety DisorderGeneralized Anxiety Disorder
• Substance Abuse DisorderSubstance Abuse Disorder
• Eating DisorderEating Disorder
But Not InexplicableBut Not Inexplicable

17. Major Depressive DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder

18. Conduct DisorderConduct Disorder
• VictimsVictims
• BulliesBullies
• BothBoth

19. CyberbullyingCyberbullying

20. ““Bullycide”?Bullycide”?
• MediaMedia
• www.reportingonsuicide.orgwww.reportingonsuicide.org
• OversimplifiesOversimplifies
• NormalizesNormalizes
• ContagionContagion

21. Why??Why??

22. What Can Schools Do?What Can Schools Do?
• Promote Protective FactorsPromote Protective Factors
• Sources of Strength (www.sourcesofstrength.org)Sources of Strength (www.sourcesofstrength.org)
• EducationEducation
• More than Sad (www.morethansad.org)More than Sad (www.morethansad.org)
• ScreeningScreening
• Screening for Mental HealthScreening for Mental Health
(www.mentalhealthscreening.org)(www.mentalhealthscreening.org)
• Best Practices RegistryBest Practices Registry
• www.nrepp.samhsa.gov)www.nrepp.samhsa.gov)
HANDOUT: Key Resources and ReferencesHANDOUT: Key Resources and References
for Schoolsfor Schools

23. After a Suicide: A Toolkit for SchoolsAfter a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools

24. After a Suicide: A Toolkit for SchoolsAfter a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
• www.afsp.org/schoolswww.afsp.org/schools
• www.sprc.org/webform/after-suicide-toolkit-www.sprc.org/webform/after-suicide-toolkit-
schoolsschools

25. KEY MESSAGE #1KEY MESSAGE #1
• Schools Should Strive to Treat All Deaths theSchools Should Strive to Treat All Deaths the
Same WaySame Way

26. KEY MESSAGE #2KEY MESSAGE #2
• Adolescents and Teens Are Vulnerable to theAdolescents and Teens Are Vulnerable to the
Risk of ContagionRisk of Contagion

27. KEY MESSAGE #3KEY MESSAGE #3
• Emphasize the Connection Between SuicideEmphasize the Connection Between Suicide
and Underlying Serious Mental Health Issuesand Underlying Serious Mental Health Issues

28. KEY MESSAGE #4KEY MESSAGE #4
• Help Is Available for Anyone Who May BeHelp Is Available for Anyone Who May Be
Struggling or May Be at Risk ThemselvesStruggling or May Be at Risk Themselves
• 800-273-TALK800-273-TALK
• Crisis Text Line: 741741Crisis Text Line: 741741

29. GET THE FACTS FIRSTGET THE FACTS FIRST
• ConfirmationConfirmation
• Wishes of the FamilyWishes of the Family

30. HELPING STUDENTS COPEHELPING STUDENTS COPE
• Emotional RegulationEmotional Regulation
• MemorializationMemorialization

31. MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIAMEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA
• Media CoverageMedia Coverage
• Social MediaSocial Media
• School Web SiteSchool Web Site

32. CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION
• Joanne L. Harpel, MPhil, JDJoanne L. Harpel, MPhil, JD
• President, Coping After Suicide, LLCPresident, Coping After Suicide, LLC
• President and CEO, Rethink the ConversationPresident and CEO, Rethink the Conversation
• JoanneHarpel@icloud.comJoanneHarpel@icloud.com
• 917.584.1200917.584.1200
• www.linkedin.com/in/joannelelewerharpelwww.linkedin.com/in/joannelelewerharpel
• Frederick S. Lane, JDFrederick S. Lane, JD
• Author, Attorney, Lecturer, Expert WitnessAuthor, Attorney, Lecturer, Expert Witness
• Editor, “The Cybertraps Blog”Editor, “The Cybertraps Blog”
• FrederickLane.comFrederickLane.com
• 802-318-4604802-318-4604
• FSLane3@gmail.comFSLane3@gmail.com