Suicide rates among girls have increased at a faster rate than boys in recent years, attributed to earlier access to social media and the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns, according to experts. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds in the US, with significant increases noted between 2007 and 2021, as reported in a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics, an American Medical Association journal released on September 10, 2026.
Historically, male suicide rates have been higher than female rates across all age groups, but between 2007 and 2017, the suicide rate for girls aged 10 to 19 increased significantly compared to the rate for boys. Dr. Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of "10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World," stated that social media and smartphones contributed to the rise in suicides among girls from 2010 to 2019.
Twenge noted that social media use is more strongly linked to depression and mental health issues among girls than boys, with an increase in social media use observed post-2020. She explained that teens began spending more time online, reducing in-person interactions and sleep.
Twenge highlighted that social media has intensified peer pressure and bullying, replacing traditional dynamics with measurable metrics of popularity, such as follower counts and likes. She pointed out that for girls, these metrics often relate to sexualized appearance, creating additional pressure.
According to Twenge, girls are increasingly exposed to harmful content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, leading to a "perfect storm" of negative influences. Meta's research indicates that girls experience a "grief spiral" from constant exposure to influencers with idealized bodies, impacting their self-esteem.
While boys also face pressures from social media, Twenge noted that male comparisons tend to focus on achievable actions, while girls' comparisons are primarily about physical appearance, which is less changeable.
Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, suicide rates among boys aged 10 to 14 have decreased, while rates for girls in the same age group have continued to rise. Twenge attributes the decline in male suicide rates to the easing of pandemic restrictions and increased attention to male suicide prevention.
Twenge advocates for stricter enforcement of age limits for social media access, suggesting that the current age restriction of 13 is outdated and was a compromise made with tech companies in 1998. She proposed that the US could adopt measures similar to Australia, requiring users to be 16 or older for social media accounts, and enforce stricter age verification controls.
Additionally, Twenge recommended blocking access to social media for minors between midnight and 6 a.m. to address sleep deprivation, a significant risk factor for depression and suicide. A peer-reviewed article published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine reported a 74% spike in children's suicide-related emergency visits in the US between 2016 and 2022.
Representatives for Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta did not respond to requests for comment. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. For those struggling with suicidal thoughts, the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at 988 or at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.