WHO Highlights Surge in Problematic Social Media Use Among Teens
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about a significant rise in “problematic social media use” among teenagers in Europe, noting its detrimental effects on mental health. According to the WHO’s European branch, more than one in ten adolescents are also at risk of “problematic gaming.”
“Problematic use” is characterized by addiction-like symptoms, including difficulty controlling usage, neglecting other activities, and experiencing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive social media engagement. WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge emphasized the urgent need for sustained action to help adolescents address potentially harmful social media habits, which are linked to issues like depression, anxiety, bullying, and declining academic performance.
Recent data reveals that in 2022, 11% of adolescents—13% of girls and 9% of boys—displayed signs of problematic social media use, a notable increase from just 7% four years earlier. This information comes from a comprehensive study involving 280,000 individuals aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada.
The issue appears to be most prevalent among female teenagers in Romania, where 28% reported problematic usage, while the lowest rates were found among male teenagers in the Netherlands, at just 3%. Additionally, a third of adolescents engage in online gaming daily, with 22% playing for at least four hours.
The WHO also noted that 12% of the overall group is at risk of problematic gambling, particularly affecting boys at 16%, compared to 7% of girls.
Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO Europe’s Director for Country Health Policies and Systems, stressed the importance of equipping youth with the tools to navigate the digital landscape safely and make informed choices about their online activities.
What steps do you think can be taken to help teens manage their social media use more effectively?
