Suicide reporting guidelines expanded for social media

The University of Hong Kong's Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention has broadened its suicide reporting guidelines to include social media, aiming to reduce harm and promote responsible information sharing, particularly among young individuals. On World Suicide Prevention Day, the center unveiled the 2026 version of its recommendations, which now cover both social media users and platform operators.

In 2025, Hong Kong recorded approximately 976 suicides, a rate of 13 deaths per 100,000 residents. Although overall rates have decreased since the 2003 peak, youth suicide remains a significant issue, ranking as the third leading cause of death globally among people aged 15 to 29.

The recommendations stem from a study conducted in collaboration with the Hong Kong Press Council, which examined 1,200 online suicide-related news reports from December 2023 to November 2025. The researchers identified several shortcomings in existing coverage, such as the absence of warning signs, excessive disclosure of locations, insufficient provision of prevention resources, and explicit descriptions of suicide methods.

The study also revealed that while social media does not seem to influence suicide rates in the general population, it has a substantial impact on young people, given their growing reliance on social platforms for news consumption.

The updated guidelines advise journalists to report on suicide cases only when there is a clear public interest in doing so. They also recommend including crisis hotlines and support resources within the story while avoiding speculation about possible causes. Additionally, the guidelines urge newsrooms to refrain from discussing specific methods and locations, refrain from publishing suicide notes, and use neutral, non-stigmatizing language.

Melissa Pang, chair of the Press Council, emphasized the public duty to disseminate information responsibly, stressing that safe communication now depends on not only professional newsrooms but also platforms and individual users.