2024-09-25 22:20:26
Instagram, Whatsapp & Co.: Many young people are constantly online. A study by the WHO draws attention to the drastic consequences of this behavior.
Endless scrolling on Instagram or nonstop chatting with friends on WhatsApp: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe, more and more young people are having trouble putting their smartphones aside. Current data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe show that more than one in ten young people now show signs of problematic social media behavior.
Girls are affected more often (13 percent) than boys (9 percent). More than one in three (36 percent) reported being in constant contact with friends online.
Overall, social media use among teenagers classified as problematic has increased from 7 percent of young people in 2018 to 11 percent in 2022, according to WHO Europe based on a comprehensive survey. According to the report, German young people were slightly below the overall average in 2022 at 10 percent.
In addition, the WHO found that 12 percent of young people are at risk of developing problematic gaming behavior, with boys being significantly more likely to do so than girls. The Copenhagen-based organization sees these two findings as cause for urgent concern about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of young people in Europe.
On the one hand, the apps offer the possibility of being constantly connected. Through text messages, voice recordings, photos, videos, but also so-called stories that show current activities and are only available for 24 hours, you can, in a sense, accompany all your friends and acquaintances in their everyday lives.
In addition, the content on platforms such as Instagram is now tailored to a person’s own interests using precise algorithms. This means that young people can quickly lose themselves in endless scrolling through short, entertaining videos. The constant availability – also because the smartphone is usually in close proximity – can encourage addictive behavior.
“It is clear that social media can have both positive and negative consequences for the health and well-being of young people,” said WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge. This is why teaching digital skills is so important. However, in many countries, these skills are inadequate or do not keep pace with the pace of development.
Immediate and sustainable measures must be taken to help young people get a grip on their potentially harmful social media use. Otherwise, it can lead to depression, bullying, anxiety and poor school performance, warned Kluge. But if used correctly, social networks can also lead to stronger social bonds.
The new WHO findings are part of a comprehensive health study 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.
Tipp: To reduce social media usage, you can set a timer in your smartphone’s settings. On iPhones, you’ll find the function under “Screen Time”; on Android devices, it’s called “Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.”