Mother of 10-year-old girl who died by suicide turns grief into a warning for other parents over nighttime cell phone use – CBS News

Report on Youth Suicide, Digital Technology, and Sustainable Development Goals

A recent case involving the suicide of a 10-year-old in Virginia highlights critical challenges to youth mental health, directly impacting the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The incident underscores the intersection of bullying, unrestricted technology access, and mental well-being, demanding a comprehensive response aligned with global development targets.

Analysis of Contributing Factors and SDG Alignment

The case of Autumn Bushman, who died by suicide following prolonged bullying both in school and online, brings to light significant risk factors that contravene the principles of the SDGs.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The primary SDG affected is Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.4 specifically seeks to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

• The incident represents a failure to protect the mental health of a child.
• It demonstrates a direct link between environmental factors (bullying, screen time) and a tragic health outcome.

SDG 4: Quality Education & SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Bullying, a key factor in this case, undermines the creation of safe and inclusive learning environments, a core component of SDG 4 (Target 4.A). Furthermore, cyberbullying constitutes a form of violence against children, which SDG 16 (Target 16.2) aims to eliminate.

• Bullying in school prevented a safe and effective learning environment.
• The extension of abuse via a smartphone represents a form of digital violence against a child.

Research Findings on Technology Use and Suicide Risk

A study from Virginia Tech provides empirical evidence linking adolescent suicide attempts with specific behaviors, reinforcing the concerns raised by this case. The research offers critical data for developing prevention strategies that support SDG 3.

Key Findings from the Virginia Tech Study

The study examined children aged 12 to 17 admitted to a hospital after intentional overdose attempts and found:

• Approximately two-thirds of overdose attempts occurred after 8 p.m.
• Roughly three out of four adolescents were using a screen immediately before the attempt.
• Nighttime screen use can disrupt sleep and isolate bullied children from support systems, increasing risk.

Recommendations for Prevention and SDG Advancement

Expert recommendations focus on practical interventions for parents and guardians that can mitigate risks and advance the goal of promoting youth well-being (SDG 3).

Preventative Measures

1. Limit Technology Access: Keep smartphones and other devices out of bedrooms at night to prevent isolation and sleep disruption.
2. Promote Sleep Hygiene: Establish healthy sleep routines, which are fundamental to mental and physical health.
3. Secure Medications: Reduce easy access to over-the-counter and prescription medications to prevent impulsive overdose attempts.

Conclusion: An Integrated Approach to Youth Well-being

The death of Autumn Bushman is a tragic illustration of a systemic issue where technology, social pressures, and mental health intersect. Addressing the crisis of youth suicide requires a multi-faceted approach that involves parents, schools, and healthcare providers. By implementing preventative measures and fostering safe environments both online and offline, communities can better protect their youth and make tangible progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 16, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article’s central theme is the suicide of a 10-year-old girl, Autumn Bushman, which directly relates to mental health and premature mortality. It also discusses a study on teen suicide attempts, highlighting a critical public health crisis.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The article mentions that Autumn was “bullied in school over her braces.” This connects to the need for safe and inclusive learning environments, which is a key aspect of quality education. The school environment is presented as a place where the abuse originated.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal includes targets to end all forms of violence and abuse against children. The bullying Autumn experienced, both in person and online via her smartphone, constitutes a form of violence and abuse against a child.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The entire article is a case study on the tragic consequences of poor mental well-being, leading to the premature death of a child by suicide. The discussion around preventing such outcomes by limiting screen time and securing medications directly supports this target.
   • Target 4.A: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.” The fact that Autumn was “bullied in school” indicates a failure to provide a safe and non-violent learning environment, making this target highly relevant.
   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.” The article explicitly states that Autumn was subjected to abuse that “continued after school on her smartphone.” This cyberbullying is a form of violence against a child, directly aligning with the objective of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.4 (Suicide mortality rate): The article’s focus on Autumn’s death by suicide and the Virginia Tech study on “teen suicide attempts” directly points to the suicide rate among children and adolescents as a key metric for measuring mental health and well-being.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.4 (Prevalence of mental health issues): The article discusses “emotional distress or a suicidal crisis,” implying that the prevalence of such conditions among youth is a critical indicator of the state of mental health in the population.
   • Mentioned Indicator for Target 16.2 (Prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying): The article identifies bullying as a root cause of the tragedy, stating Autumn “was bullied in school” and the abuse “continued after school on her smartphone.” The frequency and incidence of in-person and online bullying are therefore direct indicators of violence against children.
   • Mentioned Indicator for Target 3.4 (Rate of suicide attempts by overdose): The Virginia Tech study specifically “examined data of children ages 12 to 17 who had been admitted to a hospital after attempting suicide by intentionally overdosing.” This provides a specific, measurable indicator related to both mental health and substance abuse prevention.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: cbsnews.com