Study warns of social media’s impact on teen’s mental health

An extensive international study reveals that problematic social media use among young people has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The report warns about the impact of digital technology on youth mental health and well-being.

Researchers reached this conclusion after studying nearly 28,000 children aged 11 to 15 in 44 countries.

The study shows that, on average, 11% of respondents in 2022 were engaging with social media in problematic ways, compared to 7% six years ago.

The researchers have called for more efforts to promote healthy social media use among young people.

Dr. Jo Inchley, one of the study’s lead researchers from the University of Glasgow, noted that problematic social media use is more common among 13-year-olds.

She added that this trend peaks in early adolescence, with girls more likely than boys to engage in problematic social media use.

Dr. Inchley also emphasized that the study highlights how much time young people spend on social media.

She said, “Overall, we found that more than one-third of teenagers are in constant contact with friends and others online, meaning they are connected almost all day.”

The study, published by the European arm of the World Health Organization, stresses the need for digital literacy education to help young people develop healthier online habits.

The findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated efforts from governments, health authorities, educators, and parents to address the potential harms of social media, which can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, bullying, and poor academic performance.

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