Digital Promotion of Suicide: A Platform-Level Ethical Analysis

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael; Lehman-Wilzig, Sam

Abstract

This article utilizes Aristotelian and Kantian philosophies to probe the social responsibilities of internet intermediaries that in one way or another assist and promote suicide. Striking a balance between freedom of expression and social responsibility, it is argued that several actors should be involved in restricting or eliminating live-streaming suicide, sites that encourage and facilitate suicide, and insult forums that drive people, especially adolescents, to take their own lives. The remediating actors are: commercial social media/website owners through their moderators; voluntary, non-profit, NGO “public defenders”; internet platform providers; regulatory agencies based on legislative authority, and advertisers. Practical remedies are suggested for each of these actors, noting as well important exceptions and caveats regarding the respective solutions.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R., & Lehman-Wilzig, S. (2022). Digital Promotion of Suicide: A Platform-Level Ethical Analysis. Journal of Media Ethics, https://doi.org/10.1080/23736992.2022.2057994

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 17, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 29, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 19, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Media Ethics: Exploring Questions of Media Morality
• Print ISSN: 2373-6992
• Electronic ISSN: 2373-700X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23736992.2022.2057994
• Keywords: Philosophy; Communication; suicide; internet; free speech; social responsibility; social media; Aristotle; Kant
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3970626