Reporting concerns to protect vulnerable young people
What’s inside the guide?
Some key warnings signs that may suggest that a friend or a loved one is at risk of suicide or self-harm include:
- Are they writing about wanting to die or kill themselves?
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live?
- Talking about feeling vulnerable, trapped or being a burden to others
- Saying negative things about themselves
- Talking about seeking revenge
Many people will seek support before attempting suicide to show others they are in pain. Visit Mind.org.uk for advice on how to support someone who feels suicidal.
All threats of harm to life should be taken seriously:
- Report to the police or local authority if they are in immediate danger, giving as much information about the situation
- Speak to a trusted adult to raise concerns and seek help
- Alert their family and friends so they can offer support
- If it is a close friend, encourage children to:
– Have a conversation with the person to offer messages of encouragement and support. Visit www.samaritans.org/difficultconversations for guidance.
– Encourage their friend to contact counselling services such as Childline, Papyrus or Samaritans
- Helping someone with suicidal thoughts can have a big impact on your child, so ensure you discuss how they are feeling and give them the support they need
Visit Facebook Help centre ‘Report suicidal content‘ page and fill in the form to report your concern. Alternatively, follow the steps on the document to report on the platform.
What happens next?
The reported user will get a message with options to reach out to a friend or get tips and support.
Visit Instagram Help Centre for support on how to report, and follow the steps on the document to report on the platform.
What happens next?
By flagging the post anonymously, your child’s friend will be sent a support message that reads: “Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d like to help.”
They will be taken to a list of support options, which includes a suggestion to message or call a friend,
access more general tips, and support or contact a helpline.
The app also directs users to the support message if they search for certain hashtags associated with
harmful behaviours like eating disorders.
Visit Snapchat Support page to report your concern or follow the instruction on the document to report on the app.
What happens next?
Once you have reported anonymously, action will be taken on a case by case basis. Unlike Facebook and Instagram, there is no clear procedure of how users are contacted following a report.
Visit Twitter Help Centre about self-harm and suicide for support.
Visit help.twitter.com/forms/suicide and file a ticket with Twitter and report.
What happens next?
Once Twitter has assessed the report they will get in touch with the reported user and let them know that someone who cares for them has raised a concern that they might be at risk. They will also provide the person with support resources and encourage them to seek help.
If your child comes across a video about suicide, self-injury or depression encourage them to flag the video or comment on YouTube. Follow the steps in the document to report a concern on the app or site.
What happens next?
YouTube will reach out to the person with resources to support them and works with suicide prevention agencies to help when possible.
To report simply email support@tumblr.com or abuse@tumblr.com and provide as much information about the person as possible including any screengrabs of the content on the account.
What happens next?
A member of Tumblr’s Safety Team will send the user an e-mail with the advice of where to get further help and support.