Transforming Grief Into Action: A Mother’s Heartfelt Warning to Parents About Nighttime Cell Phone Use After Her 10-Year-Old Daughter’s Tragic Suicide

Roanoke, Virginia — Autumn Bushman was a lively 10-year-old who loved to perform. Her mother, Summer, recalled how Autumn would turn the living room into a dance floor. She was full of energy and cared deeply about others.

Sadly, in the past couple of years, Autumn faced bullying at school because of her braces. This bullying didn’t stop at school; it followed her home through her smartphone. On March 21, Autumn took her own life in her bedroom. Just before this tragic moment, she had been looking at her phone.

Summer recounted how Autumn would insist on having her phone at night to wake up in the morning. “I questioned it sometimes, but she always had a reason,” Summer said.

A recent study from Virginia Tech highlights a troubling connection between screen time at night and suicide attempts in teenagers. It focused on kids aged 12 to 17 who were hospitalized after overdosing. Shockingly, two-thirds of the kids had overdosed after 8 p.m., and most had been using screens just before their attempts.

Dr. Abhishek Reddy, who worked on the study, noted that late-night screen time is distracting and can disrupt sleep. He mentioned it can be dangerous for bullied kids to have access to their phones at night. “During the day, they have support. At night, that support is gone,” he explained.

To help, Dr. Reddy recommends keeping phones out of bedrooms, practicing good sleep habits, and limiting access to medications.

Summer struggles with the pain of losing Autumn. “It’s been months, and I realize I’ll never see her grow up,” she shared. She regrets letting Autumn have a smartphone, especially at such a young age. “She had so much life ahead of her. I think about all the milestones I will never witness.”

Experts urge parents to be cautious with technology and its impact on mental health. The conversation around screen time has intensified as studies reveal its effects on children. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 65% of parents worry about their child’s online interactions.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. Services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available 24/7.

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