According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more young people in Europe are having trouble putting down their smartphones than ever before. More than one in ten adolescents now show signs of problematic behaviour on social media, according to new data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Girls are affected more often (13 percent) than boys (nine percent). More than one in three (36 percent) indicate that they are in constant online contact with friends.
Overall, social media use among teenagers, which is classified as problematic, has increased from seven percent of young people in 2018 to eleven percent in 2022, WHO Europe announced based on a comprehensive survey.
Gaming behavior is also becoming increasingly problematic
According to the WHO, there is also the finding that twelve percent of young people are at risk of developing problematic gaming behavior, with boys significantly more likely to do so than girls. The Copenhagen-based organization sees these two findings as a cause for urgent concern about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of Europe’s youth.
“It is clear that social media can have both positive and negative effects on the health and well-being of young people,” says WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge. That is why digital literacy is so important. However, in many countries, it is insufficient or not keeping pace with the pace of development.
Social media can also strengthen ties
Immediate and sustained measures must be taken to help young people manage their potentially harmful use of social media. Otherwise, it could lead to depression, bullying, anxiety and poor academic performance, Kluge warned. Used correctly, social networks can also lead to stronger social bonds.
Problematic online use is similar to addictive behavior
The new WHO findings are part of a comprehensive health survey that surveyed nearly 280,000 children and adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 from 44 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia and Canada in 2022. Problematic social media use is defined as a pattern of behaviour characterised by symptoms of addiction, such as loss of control, withdrawal symptoms or neglect of other activities.
Source: Krone
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