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‘Kids Are Dying. How Are These Sites Still Allowed?’

This episode contains details about suicide deaths and strong language. A few years ago, a website about suicide appeared. On it, not only do people talk about wanting to die, but they share, at great length, how they are going to do it. Times reporters were able to identify 45 people who killed themselves after spending time on the site, several of whom were minors. The true number is likely to be higher. We go inside the Times investigation into the website, and ask how and why it is still allowed to operate. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be having those thoughts, in the United States call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Go here for resources outside the United States. Guest: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter for The New York Times; and Gabriel J.X. Dance, deputy investigations editor for The Times.
Duration
37m
Broadcast on
09 Dec 2021
Audio Format
other

This episode contains details about suicide deaths and strong language. 

A few years ago, a website about suicide appeared. On it, not only do people talk about wanting to die, but they share, at great length, how they are going to do it.

Times reporters were able to identify 45 people who killed themselves after spending time on the site, several of whom were minors. The true number is likely to be higher.

We go inside the Times investigation into the website, and ask how and why it is still allowed to operate.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be having those thoughts, in the United States call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Go here for resources outside the United States.

Guest: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter for The New York Times; and Gabriel J.X. Dance, deputy investigations editor for The Times.

Background reading: 

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For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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This podcast is supported by TikTok. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for. That happens every day on TikTok. A science experiment can spark a whole new interest. A recipe you stumble upon can become a meal you make for the people you love. And a restaurant you've never heard of might become your new favorite spot. That's the thing about TikTok. Follow your curiosity and see where it leads. Your next discovery is waiting on TikTok. Hey, it's Michael, a quick note. Today's episode covers suicide and contains details about suicide deaths. If you're having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be having those thoughts, the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. And there are links to additional resources in today's show notes. I'm telling you a little bit about me. I've been working on this story with a reporting partner, somebody named Gabrielle Dance. We are both reporters in the investigations unit at the New York Times. And so-- Today on The Daily. So Megan and I have been looking specifically at a site where they say they want to be a place where people can speak freely about suicide. A Times investigation. A site we've been working to identify the people who run the site and some-- Into a website that facilitates suicide. We think that quite a few accountable parties should explain why a site like this is allowed to stay up. And what is your biggest concern about the website and from what you've learned about it since? I'm sure you've talked to dozens of parents, and I know they're absolutely terrified. I spoke with my colleagues, Megan Tooey and Gabrielle Dance, about why the site is so uniquely dangerous and why it's proven so difficult to shut down. It's Thursday, December 9. Megan, Gabrielle, tell me about this investigation that you have both been working on. So we've been reporting on a website that deals with suicide that was launched a few years ago

Transcription truncated.

This episode contains details about suicide deaths and strong language. A few years ago, a website about suicide appeared. On it, not only do people talk about wanting to die, but they share, at great length, how they are going to do it. Times reporters were able to identify 45 people who killed themselves after spending time on the site, several of whom were minors. The true number is likely to be higher. We go inside the Times investigation into the website, and ask how and why it is still allowed to operate. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be having those thoughts, in the United States call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Go here for resources outside the United States. Guest: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter for The New York Times; and Gabriel J.X. Dance, deputy investigations editor for The Times.