Joshua Reber
Biology 1610
Can Facebook’s Machine-Learning Algorithms Accurately Predict Suicide?
We as humans love our social media. Many of us are avid users-for example there are 1.23 billion active Facebook users daily. Why? Talking face-to-face is messy and emotionally
involved–we don’t have time to think about what to say, we have to read facial
cues and body language.
This article begins by talking about a story of a young girl who through Facebooks new live video feature filmed herself talking, and even showing signs that she was about to commit suicide. Her friend saw this and alarmed the police, but they weren’t able to get there in time to save her life. This caused a lot of alarm in the Florida area, and Facebook is the first to start doing something about it.
Online, we have time to construct and and be open. This gives us the opportunity to position ourselves the way we want to
be seen. We hear daily about how the current generation is struggling with bullying, and how it has turned into something digital.
This article begins by talking about a story of a young girl who through Facebooks new live video feature filmed herself talking, and even showing signs that she was about to commit suicide. Her friend saw this and alarmed the police, but they weren’t able to get there in time to save her life. This caused a lot of alarm in the Florida area, and Facebook is the first to start doing something about it.
The article says this: “To reach its at-risk users, Facebook says it is expanding its services that allow friends to report posts containing signs of any suicidal or self-mutilation plans and it provides a menu of options for both those individuals and the friend who reported them. Choices include hotlines to call, prompts to reach out to friends and tips on what to do in moments of crisis. This tool will now be available for Facebook live streams as well. Similar reporting systems exist on a number of social media platforms including Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. Facebook is now also piloting a program that will let people use Messenger, its instant messaging app, to directly connect with counselors from crisis support organizations including Crisis Text Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL).”
Various programmers are working on developing software that acts as a robot to identify keywords and behavior expected from a victim of suicide. These robots and software will then be able to provide various hotlines and numbers and resources that lead to help. Facebook stated that tens of thousands cases are reported by friends who are concerned by a friend to see if they can get some help with suicide prevention.
“This ultimately is an effort that makes a lot of sense,”
says Jessica Ribeiro, who is a psychologist at Florida State University. I am
in complete agreeance with her. I really like this article because I know many
people who really do struggle with these things, and are having hard trials
with it all. This article also interests me because I am a social media user,
and find it interesting to hear about what kind of protection the various
platforms are offering their users so they can feel safer. I believe if they can
dominate this software, without it being pushy on people, it really could be
beneficial and serve a lot of people. It's also interesting to think on a biological level about the various chemicals that are being secreted when we post online, and how we react to reading posts from friends/family. Suicide in this nation is one of the top
10 reasons for death, and is now 2nd overall cause of death for
youth. I encourage everyone to read this article, not only to hear about this
cool idea, but to also be aware of the issue.
The reference came from Scientific American: http://biologyinthenewsspring2017-tuesday.blogspot.com/2017/03/joshua-reber-biology-1610-can.html
The reference came from Scientific American: http://biologyinthenewsspring2017-tuesday.blogspot.com/2017/03/joshua-reber-biology-1610-can.html
Your article was very interesting. I agree that taking these measures are beneficial and can only do good. Why not take every precaution we can to prevent suicide. I wonder though if social media is part of the problem. I find that people are more isolated now because they feel connected through facebook and so there isn't a need for face time. In your article you stated that talking face to face is messy because it involves emotions and having to think about what to say. Do you think that because the younger generation is constantly behind a screen, they haven't learned to deal with the emotional difficulties of life, and so when something emotionally difficult happens to them, which it will, they don't know how to properly handle the situation?
ReplyDeleteAH
Ashley, there is a really interesting presentation I saw through a video (I wish I remember who had given it!) by a researcher talking about what happens on a biological and chemical level to cause depression and anxiety, which can lead to suicide. He talked about how things like facebook and the idea of receiving "likes" is stimulating pleasure centers of the brain and producing oxytocin. As this occurs, the brain litterally becomes addicted to that sensation of receiving likes on posts, and and instant gratification that comes along with it. When this becomes habitual from a young age, these individuals have a hard time learning to work hard to achieve things because their brain have essentially grown accustomed to instant approval and they become frustrated, and even depressed, when that does not occur. I think there is a lot of room for research in how things like technology affect the brain, especially the developing brain.
Delete-EF
Ashley, you brought up an interesting question about the extent to which social media is influencing emotional intelligence among younger generations. I thought about this question you posed and decided to do some research in order to formulate my opinion on this matter. Interestingly, I found supporting evidence that social media can either be a hinderance or benefit to emotional intelligence, depending on how it is used. For example, One survey of found that 50% of social media users experienced a drop in self esteem. Furthermore, a decline in empathy has been reported in the past ten years among college students. Since self-esteem and empathy are two major components of emotional intelligence, one could argue that social media is damaging emotional intelligence. However, when used correctly social media can have a positive impact on an individuals self awareness. To answer your question, I would say extreme use of social media and lack of face-to-face interaction can be harmful to emotional intelligence . RS
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/suren-ramasubbu/does-technology-impact-a-childs-emotional-intelligence_b_7090968.html
Your article brought up some good points, but I must admit that I don't entirely agree with the entire concept. In my opinion wouldn't software systems wouldn't be necessary if we had more face to face interaction and it wouldn't be draining if we would put down our devices and talk to people-I think we would find that its actually much simpler talking to someone in person and hearing the voice changes and key markers and see their reaction rather than potentially misinterpreting someones intentions because they'd rather conversate behind a screen.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept I just do not know how effective it would be. I think a lot of the signs of suicide is a form reaching out for help. Facebook and all Social Media is the biggest culprit to things like Cyber bullying and has many negatives. Just recently I guy from Cleveland shot a man and killed him on Facebook live. While I do commend Facebook for trying to make a difference I think it, along with other Social Media is the problem. I just feel like the idea of getting warm leads for possible suicidal individuals is good but I am intrigued to see some life-saving results.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting to me, i have become more of a social media user the older i have gotten and wanted to stay in touch with friends when traveling long distances are an inconvenience. i agree that suicide is a big issue and there are multiple measures we as a society can take to prevent self harm to those around us. i think Facebook has the right idea with this prototype, but i definitely believe that more research and testing needs to be done. hard facts and results should be determined. i do commend facebook and the other types of social media for making an effort, but how effective is this really going to be?
ReplyDeleteBB
I love it! A great use for Facebook or any social media really! Three weeks ago my friend had the unfortunate experience of coming home to find that one of her teenage sons friends had committed suicide in her home with one of their hunting guns. and just before he did he tweeted a song about suicide. He also had written a text to his parents but never sent the text... However the tweet was shared with all of his followers. I think people are more closely connected yet distant enough on social media that people in a not so good state of mind are a little more open to being open. I had another friend do a similar thing. Reaching out for help on facebook just before a suicide attempt. It is so sad but true. If we could all learn the signs and send a little love to our facebook friends at their time of need. And why turn down any possible help from a computer that might be paying attention when we aren't? Great idea!
ReplyDeleteNo way! I love this article. I personally have tried to stay away from social media use because I feel that it is a waste of time for me. But, with 1.23 billion active users that could really improve and lessen the amount of suicides! I'd assume, I'm not sure, that a majority of suicides come in the teenage years, and I'd also predict a large number of that 1.23 billion users are teenagers! With these two numbers going hand in hand smart programmers could greatly influence and benefit the world in which we live. Providing peace and happiness to many more families and potential suicidal people. Wow. - AD
ReplyDeleteYour article grabbed my attention quickly. I t is crazy how in just the last ten years how much social media use has grown. You mention in your article that Facebook has 1.23 billion user daily! Wow, that is a lot of people on facebook everyday! I thought it was interesting how you mention that by using social media, "we have time to construct and and be open, this gives us the opportunity to position ourselves the way we want to be seen". I believe this to be true. Everyone wants to be noticed in one way or another, and social media allows us to pick and choose what, when and how we share certain aspects of our life with the world. This, I believe, is because we want to give off a certain persona becuase we want to be popular or famous and we think our lives are more important than they really are.
ReplyDeleteAs for the software that is being developed to prevent suicide, I an neutral on the subject. I think it is great that Facebook is taking the initiative to help prevent suicide, however, I also feel it is not Facebooks responsibility to prevent suicide via social media. I also feel that we as a society should start to take mental illness more seriously and be more aware of different types of mental illness.
P.S.
Your article grabbed my attention quickly. I t is crazy how in just the last ten years how much social media use has grown. You mention in your article that Facebook has 1.23 billion user daily! Wow, that is a lot of people on facebook everyday! I thought it was interesting how you mention that by using social media, "we have time to construct and and be open, this gives us the opportunity to position ourselves the way we want to be seen". I believe this to be true. Everyone wants to be noticed in one way or another, and social media allows us to pick and choose what, when and how we share certain aspects of our life with the world. This, I believe, is because we want to give off a certain persona becuase we want to be popular or famous and we think our lives are more important than they really are.
ReplyDeleteAs for the software that is being developed to prevent suicide, I an neutral on the subject. I think it is great that Facebook is taking the initiative to help prevent suicide, however, I also feel it is not Facebooks responsibility to prevent suicide via social media. I also feel that we as a society should start to take mental illness more seriously and be more aware of different types of mental illness.
P.S.
This article was very insightful and showed the benefits technology can bring. I was thinking that if Facebook, or any social media platform, can identify a suicidal individual could they not also identify if there are cyber bullies or sources of media that are influencing their depression and suicidal behavior to prevent and hopefully help those who may also be targeted earlier on? That would be a pretty useful tool. I ask the question because I have a family member who has been influenced in the past through cyber bullying which could have led to suicide had it not been caught early on.
ReplyDelete-MJ
I really like the steps Facebook is taking that you have informed us of in this article. I believe a lot of things that lead to suicide come from social media. You said that social media is popular because it eliminates emotion. Do you think that this emotional disconnect allows for more harsh comments to be made?
ReplyDeleteJosh Kofford
DeleteSo after some research on your comment I found something of interest written by Forbes magazine about a year ago. The article had to do with young adults using social media and a correlation to depression. the article said "The exposure to “highly idealized representations of peers on social media elicits feelings of envy and the distorted belief that others lead happier, more successful lives" That ideal lifestyle that people look up to is something that those people will look down on others and make them lash out with harsh comments.
Delete-P.H.