Mediating Tragedy: Facebook, Aboriginal Peoples and Suicide

Australasian Journal of Information Systems

Fiona Borthwick²  Bronwyn Lee Carlson²  Terri Farrelly¹  Ryan Frazer² 

[1] The Echidna Group: Indigenous Research and Development Consultancy;University of Wollongong

关键词: social media;    Indigenous;    Aboriginal;    social networking;    suicide;   

DOI  :  10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1174

学科分类：计算机科学（综合）

来源: University of Canberra * Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering

【 摘 要 】

Some Australian Aboriginal communities experience suicide rates that are among the highest in the world. They are also, however, avid social media users—approximately 20% higher than the national average. This article presents some preliminary findings from a current national study, funded by the Australian Research Council, titled Aboriginal identity and community online: a sociological exploration of Aboriginal peoples’ use of online social media. The purpose of the study is to gain insights into how Aboriginal peoples utilise and interact on social media, and how these technologies can assist with suicide prevention strategies. It found that Aboriginal people are engaging with Facebook to both seek and offer help for issues relating to suicide and self-harm. An existing continuum of suicide prevention strategies was evident—from light emotional support to direct suicide intervention involving health services. These strategies can be leveraged to implement effective and appropriate suicide prevention programs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown