(Jackson, Mississippi) Attorney General Lynn Fitch today launched #BeAwareBeforeYouShare, a new campaign to raise awareness of social media’s dangerous impact on children’s mental and physical wellbeing.
“Addiction, depression and suicide among children have dramatically increased in the past decade,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “These statistics are alarming, but not puzzling. Studies show the more teens and children scroll, the higher the instances of depression and suicide. In August, my office held listening sessions in Clinton and Rankin County, and the stories of how our children are suffering are most startling because they are so common. The fact is this is a preventable problem that we can no longer ignore.”
A two-minute
video released by General Fitch today highlights studies and reports showing anxiety, depression, suicide, and emergency room admissions for self-harm in children and teens have dramatically increased over the same period in which social media use has increased. The video explains that the risks go beyond children’s mental health and well being; children and teen’s physical safety is also being compromised within their own home as predators target victims on social media.
Earlier this year, a Mississippi family made headlines when their teen son, Walker Montgomery, committed suicide after falling victim to an online scam known as sextortion. In the video, the boy’s father, Brian Montgomery, shares the importance of familiarizing oneself with the dangers of social media, saying, “One of the reasons we are in this situation is because we didn’t know. You generally don’t protect yourself from something you don’t know about.”
Brian hopes by sharing his son’s story, he can help save others, “We believe that God is going to achieve his purposes through this, and that Walker’s life and death will be used by him.”
“I am grateful for The Montgomery family’s courage and resolve to ensure no family has to experience the tragedy of loss they suffered, and I hope Mississippians will join me in honoring his legacy,” said General Fitch. “Be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to protect you and your loved ones.”
The Attorney General’s Office has created materials to help parents and children safely navigate the Internet, and members of the team often speak to school and community groups on this topic. Download our
Parents’ Guide to Internet Safety or our
Safety Tips for Children or contact our office for copies.
