Social media and children's mental health

Social media and children's mental health


from the Education Policy Institute in the UK, Emily Firth has examined the evidence of the impact of using social media on young people's mental health and emotional well-being. 
One of the key findings from the report is evidence of a beneficial impact.This is because young people can connect with others to improve their social skills online, develop their character and resilience, and collaborate on school projects. In the recent PISA well-being survey  of 15 year olds, 90.5% of boys and 92.3% of girls in the UK agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "It is very useful to have social networks on the internet." Also, importantly, those with mental health problems are able to use the internet to seek support, either through social media networks or through the online provision of advice and counseling support. For example, 78% of young people contacting the organization "Childline" now do so online.
However, the report also highlights several negative effects on the well-being of young people linked with social media, including cyber-bullying, concerns about excessive use, and sharing of private information and harmful content. It also finds that attempts to restrict children's internet access are likely to be counterproductive as they hinder the development of vital skills needed to counter such risks. Rather than seeking to protect young people from all online risks­, the report calls on policy-makers to promote proactive measures that build resilience in children, in order to help them lead safe digital lives.

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