(Photo By Flickr User Jason Howie)

A new analysis published in the journal Clinical Psychological Research suggests a link between social media, teen suicide and depression.

Frank Froman, a psychologist with Psychology Associates, said teens in the Tri-States (Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa) face daily challenges with bullying.

He said when it comes to social media, teens are constantly exposed to messages.

Froman said unless they sign out and turn off the phone, there is no escape. He said,

“You wake up at two o’clock in the morning, hear your phone go ‘bing’, and you can see yourself being vilified on the phone and everybody chiming in saying oh he’s this or she’s that. There’s no escape now, It can happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week, mercilessly and resoundingly.”

Froman said constant exposure to hateful messages could lead teen suicide and depression, and parents need to be in constant conversation with their kids. He urged,

“They have to notice what’s going on with their kids. So if we see a kid who is being distant, sad, remote, or changed then we need to talk to our kids and ask what’s going on.”

Froman added that teen’s persona on social media often masks underlying issues, and parents should consider limiting their kid’s social media use if they are concerned.

(Information courtesy of wgem.com & The Associated Press)