TEENS, SCREENS AND MENTAL HEALTH

New data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with average rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022 in the European Region.

In Armenia, the data reflects a similar pattern with the highest increase observed among girls, whose problematic social media use has tripled making 13% compared to previously reported 4%. The reported rate among boys is 12% versus previous 6%. 

This raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of youth in Armenia and Europe generally. These findings come from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which surveyed almost 280,000 young people aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia and Canada in 2022.

Key findings related to Armenia include: 

• 10% of boys and 13% of girls reported struggling to control their use of social media and experiencing negative consequences.
• 44% of adolescents, with highest rates among 15-year-old girls (49%) are in constant contact with friends online.

Key Findings related to the European Region include:

• More than 1 in 10 adolescents (11%) showed signs of problematic social media behaviour, struggling to control their use and experiencing negative consequences. Girls reported higher levels of problematic social media use than boys (13% vs 9%). 
• Over a third (36%) of young people reported constant contact with friends online, with the highest rates among 15-year-old girls (44%)

The report defines problematic social media use as a pattern of behaviour characterised by addiction-like symptoms, including

• inability to control social media usage
• experiencing withdrawal when not using social media
• neglecting other activities in favour of social media
• facing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use

Implications of increased problematic social media use

The rise in problematic social media use among adolescents raises significant concerns about potential impacts on young people. Previous research has found that problematic social media users also reported lower mental and social well-being and higher levels of substance use compared to non-problematic users and non-users. This trend, if continued, could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and long-term health outcomes. Moreover, problematic social media use has been associated with less sleep and later bedtimes, potentially impacting adolescents' overall health and academic performance.

"Social media can have both positive and negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of adolescents,” noted Dr. Siddhartha Datta, WHO Representative in Armenia. Jointly with parents, teachers and Ministry of Health, we need to help youth to navigate the digital landscape safely and equip them to make informed choices about their online activities, maximising the benefits while minimizing the risks to their mental and social well-being.”

Positive aspects of social media use

While the report highlights the risks, it also underscores the benefits of responsible social media use. Adolescents who are heavy but non-problematic users reported stronger peer support and social connections.

Targeted interventions 

Interventions to address problematic social media use should focus on helping young people develop digital literacy skills, promote healthy online behaviours, and provide support for those at risk of problematic use. 

Roadmap for action

While the findings are sobering, they also offer a roadmap for the way ahead. The WHO Regional Office for Europe - covering Europe and Central Asia - calls upon policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to prioritise adolescent digital well-being with the following specific calls to action:

• Invest in a health promoting school environment, in which digital literacy education is embedded: Implement evidence-based programs in schools covering responsible social media use, online safety, critical thinking skills, and healthy gaming habits.
• Enhance mental health services: Ensure access to confidential, non-judgmental, and affordable mental health services which can address issues arising from problematic digital technology use.
• Promote open dialogue: Encourage conversations about digital well-being within families, schools, and communities to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
• Train educators and healthcare providers: Provide specialised training to deliver effective and inclusive digital literacy education and support.
• Enforce platform accountability: Ensure social media platforms enforce age restrictions and create a regulatory framework encouraging responsible design of digital tools for young users.

The full report is available for download at here.