Social media skills training for teens with suicidal thoughts
Emerging Technologies and Teen Mental Health
This program will try a short, skills-based session to teach teens with recent suicidal thoughts how to use social media in more active, prosocial ways.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Florida International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Miami, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07527052 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The FIU Center for Children and Families will recruit 12–17-year-olds with subacute suicidal ideation from clinic referrals and the community. After a screening process and obtaining parent consent and youth assent, eligible participants will receive a brief psychoeducational module (PAAS) focused on active and prosocial social media use. The intervention teaches skills for building positive online connections and using platforms in constructive ways. Study outcomes will be tracked with self-report measures of suicidal ideation and social functioning.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 12–17-year-olds who report subacute suicidal thoughts, have a personal social media account, can complete study tasks in English, and have an English- or Spanish-speaking parent available to consent.
Not a fit: Teens who are at imminent risk of harming themselves or others, require intensive/restrictive services, have cognitive impairments that prevent participation, or lack a personal social media account are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce suicidal thinking and improve social functioning by teaching teens healthier ways to use social media.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot work on social-media–focused psychoeducation shows modest gains in youth social engagement, but applying these modules specifically to reduce suicidal ideation is relatively new and has limited evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents must (A) be between ages 12 and 17 years * (B) have a positive screen for suicide risk (i.e. endorsement of suicidal ideation via self-report or parent-report) * (C) have access to a personal social media account * (D) be fluent in English * (E) have available a parent who is fluent in English or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescents must not (A) have cognitive impairment or developmental delay which does not allow for the completion of basic study procedures (i.e., reading and filling out questionnaires; talking to a clinician) * (B) show imminent risk or a history of hurting themselves or others requiring intensive and restrictive services.
Where this trial is running
Miami, Florida
- FIU Center for Children and Families — Miami, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Victor Buitron
- Email: vbuitron@fiu.edu
- Phone: 305-348-9880
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.