#StatusofMind: Social Media and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing
Submitted by Jose Luis Vazquez Martinez
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KEY POINTS
- 91% of 16-24 year olds use the internet for social networking
- Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol
- Rates of anxiety and depression in young people have risen 70% in the past 25 years
- Social media use is linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep
- Cyber bullying is a growing problem with 7 in 10 young people saying they have experienced it
- Social media can improve young people’s access to other people’s experiences of health and expert health information
- Those who use social media report being more emotionally supported through their contacts
CALLS TO ACTION
- Introduction of a pop-up heavy usage warning on social media
- Social media platforms to highlight when photos of people have been digitally manipulated
- NHS England to apply the Information Standard Principles to health information published via social media
- Safe social media use to be taught during PSHE education in schools
- Social media platforms to identify users who could be suffering from mental health problems by their posts, and discreetly signpost to support
- Youth-workers and other professionals who engage with young people to have a digital (including social) media component in their training
- More research to be carried out into the effects of social media on young people’s mental health
