Suicide reporting guidelines expanded for social media

The University of Hong Kong's Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention has expanded its suicide reporting guidelines to encompass social media platforms, aiming to reduce harm and encourage responsible content sharing, especially among younger audiences. On World Suicide Prevention Day, the centre unveiled the 2026 version of its recommendations, which now include guidelines for social media users and platform operators.

Hong Kong saw an estimated 976 suicides in 2025, with a rate of 13 deaths per 100,000 residents. Although overall suicide rates have decreased since the 2003 peak, youth suicide remains a significant issue, ranking as the third leading cause of death globally for those aged 15 to 29. These recommendations stem from a study conducted with the Hong Kong Press Council, which analyzed 1,200 online suicide-related news reports from December 2023 to November 2025.

The research identified shortcomings in traditional reporting, such as failing to include warning signs, divulging excessive location details, lacking preventive resources, and using explicit language to describe methods. Although social media does not seem to influence suicide rates in the general population, it appears to have a substantial impact on young people.

Consequently, the updated guidelines advise journalists to only report on suicide cases when there is a clear public interest, and to include crisis hotlines and support resources within the article while refraining from speculation on possible causes. Additionally, they urged newsrooms to avoid discussing specific methods and locations, avoid publishing suicide notes, and use neutral, non-stigmatizing language.

Melissa Pang, the chairman of the Press Council, emphasized the collective responsibility of all individuals to disseminate information responsibly, noting that safe communication now relies on not just professional newsrooms, but also platforms and individual users.