Moms Blame Social Media for Daughters' Suicides

Laurie Schott and Victoria Hinks say social media algorithms and beauty filters contributed to their teen daughters' tragic deaths.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Laurie Schott and Victoria Hinks, two mothers who lost their teenage daughters to suicide, believe social media and beauty filters played a significant role in their daughters' deaths. They have spoken out about how the constant pressure to be perfect and the harmful content pushed by social media algorithms negatively impacted their daughters' mental health, leading to their tragic suicides.

Why it matters

This tragic story highlights the growing concerns around the impact of social media and unrealistic beauty standards on the mental health of young people, especially teenage girls. It raises important questions about the responsibility of social media companies in protecting vulnerable users and the need for stronger regulations and parental controls.

The details

Schott's 18-year-old daughter, Annalee, died by suicide in November 2020. Hinks' 16-year-old daughter, Alexandra (known as Owl), died by suicide in August 2024. Both mothers believe that social media algorithms and beauty filters contributed to their daughters' struggles with self-esteem and depression. Annalee's journal entries revealed her feelings of not being good enough, while Owl had become obsessed with her appearance, even asking her mother if her eyes were too far apart.

  • Annalee died by suicide in November 2020 at age 18.
  • Owl died by suicide in August 2024 at age 16.

The players

Laurie Schott

The mother of Annalee, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 18.

Victoria Hinks

The mother of Owl, who died by suicide in 2024 at the age of 16.

Annalee

Schott's 18-year-old daughter who died by suicide in 2020.

Owl

Hinks' 16-year-old daughter who died by suicide in 2024.

KGM

A 20-year-old girl who sued Meta and Google in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging the platforms intentionally target and addict children.

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What they’re saying

“It was nonstop telling her that she wasn't good enough, even though she didn't look for that content.”

— Laurie Schott (New York Post)

“She was a beautiful girl, so beautiful, and social media just led her down a dark path. The more she was on social media, it's like it turned her into a different person.”

— Victoria Hinks (New York Post)

“When I look through her phone as her [now], I see all the stuff that was being served up really just normalizing depression and glamorizing suicide. The 'skeleton bride diet,' and these creepy, very anorexic-looking girls, it affected her self-esteem for sure. She made herself throw up. She would ask me, 'Are my eyes too far apart?' And, like, where would she even get that?”

— Victoria Hinks (New York Post)

What’s next

The 20-year-old girl known as KGM has sued Meta and Google in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging the platforms intentionally target and addict children. Schott and Hinks believe this lawsuit is a chance at accountability for the tech companies and an opportunity to force them to take responsibility for their actions.

The takeaway

This tragic story underscores the urgent need for greater regulation and oversight of social media platforms to protect vulnerable young users, especially teenage girls, from the harmful effects of unrealistic beauty standards, addictive algorithms, and dangerous content. Parents must also be vigilant in monitoring their children's social media use and seeking support when needed.