The internet can be both a great benefit and a great harm to suicidal, depressed, or self-harming youths. While many resources are available online, none of these can replace the help of a therapist and medication in real life. In addition, whether or not a person is helped by the internet relies on which websites and resources they choose to utilize. While some, such as the Samaritans, choose to help these adolescents, other pro-suicide sites provide a troublesome ethical and legal dilemma for governments. By banning them, they could potentially save lives, but in doing so, they limit free speech. Either way, the internet is a largely untapped and viable resource for education and prevention of suicide.
