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<p>Suicide rates have increased in several high-income countries in recent decades. The reasons for these increases are unclear. Suicide is a complex public health problem in contemporary societies. At the same time, ICTs significantly affect virtually all aspects of human life. However, despite its importance, there are no empirical studies that examine the effect of ICT access on suicide rates. Therefore, this paper investigates the extent to which access to ICTs affects suicide rates in a sample of 35 OECD countries over the period 2000–2019. The results of the analysis, which remain robust to a battery of controls, reveal that greater access to ICTs is associated with an increase in suicide mortality. Consistent with economic theory, this influence varies by gender. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the effect of ICTs on suicide rates is stronger during post-financial crisis periods. Based on this outcome, it is recommended that policies that better regulate access to ICTs while maintaining their usage are what policymakers should prioritize and pursue.</p>

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Do ICTs Increase Suicide Rates? Evidence from OECD Countries

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月13日

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  • Brice Kamguia,
  • Enock Kojo Ayesu,
  • Mélanie Djuikom

摘要

Suicide rates have increased in several high-income countries in recent decades. The reasons for these increases are unclear. Suicide is a complex public health problem in contemporary societies. At the same time, ICTs significantly affect virtually all aspects of human life. However, despite its importance, there are no empirical studies that examine the effect of ICT access on suicide rates. Therefore, this paper investigates the extent to which access to ICTs affects suicide rates in a sample of 35 OECD countries over the period 2000–2019. The results of the analysis, which remain robust to a battery of controls, reveal that greater access to ICTs is associated with an increase in suicide mortality. Consistent with economic theory, this influence varies by gender. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the effect of ICTs on suicide rates is stronger during post-financial crisis periods. Based on this outcome, it is recommended that policies that better regulate access to ICTs while maintaining their usage are what policymakers should prioritize and pursue.