Internet Comments on Media Reporting of two Adolescents’ Collective Suicide Attempt

The present study covered the analysis of 7 Internet media portrayals & 188 readers’ spontaneous Internet comments about a case of 2 adolescents who survived a serious suicide attempt. More than half of the comments expressed readers’ negative attitude (ironic 31% & angry 28%) while 21% of them remained neutral or indifferent. 21% tried to initiate a serious discussion about the causes & prevention of suicide. A link was found between the style of media reporting & the number & content of readers’ comments. Implications are discussed. (19 refs)