Responding to suicide challenges
Online suicide challenges are dangerous and violate Meta's policies. Learn how to identify, prevent and handle these life-threatening self-harm "games."
What are suicide challenges?
Online suicide challenges or “games” include a series of harmful tasks given to people over a set period of time. They typically increase in severity, aiming to end in suicide. We aim to prevent these challenges on our platforms.
Suicide challenges violate our Community Standards, and we remove this content whenever we become aware of it. Depending on the circumstances, we will also remove the account(s) that shared the content.
How to handle suicide challenges if you're a teen.
If you see content related to a suicide challenge–or anything related to suicide–you don't have to deal with it alone. Speak to your parent, guardian, teacher or a trusted adult if you have concerns about a post. You can also report the content at any time.
If you come across a suicide challenge on social media, think before you engage or re-share. Doing so increases the visibility–possibly beyond your immediate circle–and could put others at risk.
If you see that a friend has been posting content relating to self-harm or a suicide challenge, ask them if they are doing okay. Encourage them to seek support and let them know that sharing this content can be harmful.
How educators should respond to suicide challenges.
As an educator, you are a trusted adult with an important role in suicide monitoring. This includes watching for suicide challenges. Consider the following preventative measures and responses:
- Educate your students about online safety. Simply by informing students of the risk of sharing these challenges, you can reduce the chances that they'll participate.
- Inform parents and caregivers about the threat posed by these self-harm "games." Let them know what to monitor for and how to respond if their children mention worrying content. Share online safety resources like our Family Center education hub.
- Stay current on your school policies and know what suicide prevention resources are available to you.
- Encourage your students to reach out for help and support. Make resources readily available to them, so they know where to go in case of an emergency.
How to cover suicide challenges in the media.
Members of the media have the unique responsibility to inform caregivers of these dangerous challenges while also ensuring their coverage doesn't spark or foster interest. If you are covering a suicide challenge for a story, avoid:
- Sharing the title of the challenge. Young audiences who inadvertently become aware of the name become more curious about it.
- Detailing specifics of the challenge, such as instructions or tasks.
- Extensive coverage. There is additional risk in potentially normalizing the challenges with overexposure.
Instead, encourage help-seeking, such as:
- Highlighting that free, anonymous support is available.
- Listing the warning signs and protective factors for suicide.
- Including online safety resources.
