A recent report highlights concerning trends in digital behavior among youths, indicating a rise in problematic usage of social media and gaming, particularly among girls. The World Health Organization notes that 11% of youths exhibit addiction-like symptoms, which are linked to mental health issues, lower life satisfaction, and academic struggles. Emphasizing the need for enhanced media literacy and responsible digital practices, the report calls on adults, educational institutions, and governments to foster healthier online habits and enforce stricter age restrictions.
Concerns Over Youths’ Digital Behavior
A recent report titled ‘Youth, Screens, and Mental Health,’ released on September 25, sheds light on a significant study involving 280,000 school-aged children, aged 11, 13, and 15, across 44 countries. This extensive survey focused on their engagement with social media and video gaming, revealing alarming trends in problematic usage behaviors.
Understanding Problematic Usage
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies usage as problematic when individuals exhibit addiction-like symptoms. These include an inability to regulate their usage, withdrawal symptoms, neglect of other responsibilities, and adverse effects on daily life stemming from excessive digital engagement.
The findings indicate a worrying rise in affected youths, with the percentage jumping from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. Notably, girls are at a higher risk, with 13% displaying signs of problematic usage, compared to 9% of boys. Furthermore, 12% of all surveyed youths reported problematic gaming behaviors, predominantly among boys.
While social media can present challenges, it can also offer benefits. The WHO report highlights the detrimental impact of addictive behaviors on the mental health and overall well-being of young people. Past research has shown that those with problematic social media habits often experience lower mental and social well-being and are at an increased risk of substance abuse. Issues like sleep deprivation and declining academic performance are also prevalent among these youths.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasizes that social media can foster positive connections and peer support. As such, enhancing media literacy is crucial to mitigate risks associated with mental health. Kluge points out that many nations still lack sufficient educational programs, which often fail to adapt to the fast-paced technological advancements.
Gaming behavior further complicates this landscape. Excessive gaming can signal deeper issues or become problematic on its own. The study reveals that one-third of youths engage in gaming daily, with 22% spending at least four hours on gaming days.
Dr. Claudia Marino from the University of Padua highlights the concerning gaming trends among boys, noting that they not only play more frequently but also exhibit riskier gaming habits. This underscores the need for targeted interventions that address gender-specific motivations and risks associated with gaming.
Previous findings from an HBSC study across five countries indicate that problematic gaming correlates with lower life satisfaction and increased mental health complaints.
Responsibility lies with adults. The WHO advocates for enhanced digital competencies among youths in educational settings. Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Health Policy and Health Systems Department at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, stresses the importance of empowering young people to confidently navigate the digital world. “They should master social media rather than be controlled by it,” she states.
Schools and parents play a pivotal role in fostering digital competence and promoting healthy online habits. The report also holds governments and digital platforms accountable, urging social networks to enforce stricter age restrictions to safeguard younger users. Concurrently, educational institutions must implement programs that encourage critical thinking about online behavior among youths.