Tragic Loss of a Young Girl Amidst Bullying and Screen Use

Roanoke, Virginia — Autumn Bushman, a spirited 10-year-old from Salem, Virginia, had a passion for performing. Her mother, Summer, recalled how she transformed their living room into a dance floor. “She never sat still…she really cared about others more than herself,” Summer shared.

However, for the last couple of years, Autumn faced bullying at school because of her braces, which continued online. On the night of March 21, Autumn died by suicide in her bedroom. Records indicate she was on her phone just before her death, according to her mother.

Summer mentioned that Autumn often took her phone to bed, which raised concerns for her. “I questioned it a few times, but she insisted, ‘Mom, I need my alarm,'” Summer said. “Every morning when I’d wake her up, her alarm would be going off.”

A recent study from Virginia Tech highlighted a connection between nighttime screen use and easy access to over-the-counter medications linked to teen suicide attempts. The researchers analyzed data from children aged 12 to 17 who had been hospitalized after intentional overdoses. They discovered that about two-thirds of these incidents occurred after 8 p.m., with roughly three-quarters of those children on screens just before.

“Screen use before bed is very distracting and can disrupt your sleep,” noted Dr. Abhishek Reddy, a psychiatrist and researcher at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

Reddy expressed concern about bullied children taking their phones to bed, stating, “During the day, there’s the chance to talk to people—school counselors, family, friends. At night, that access is cut off.” He suggests keeping phones out of bedrooms and practicing good sleep hygiene to limit medication access.

Reflecting on her loss, Summer said, “It’s been six months since she’s gone…I think about going the rest of my life without seeing her again.” She regretted allowing Autumn to have a smartphone so young, especially at night.

“She deserved to live life,” Summer said, tearfully recalling milestones she would never witness, like homecoming or a wedding.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with them here.