Social media is having a significant impact on young people, particularly girls in secondary school. According to a survey conducted by Public Health Wales (PHW) and Cardiff University, twice as many girls aged between 13 and 15 reported problems related to social media use compared to boys of the same age. This survey is part of one of the largest studies of school children in Wales.
The survey asked students aged 11 to 16 about their social media use, including whether they neglected other activities to use social media or if it was constantly on their minds. The results revealed that girls in Year 9 and 10 reported the highest rates of problematic social media use, with 21% of girls in Year 10 and 20.5% in Year 9 experiencing issues, compared to 10.1% and 9.8% of boys in the same year groups. Overall, the figures for Wales showed 17.1% of girls and 9.7% of boys facing problems with social media.
Emily van de Venter, a consultant in health improvement for PHW, highlighted the benefits of social media but expressed concern over the negative effects reported by young people. She mentioned that issues with social media could be contributing to the rise in depression and anxiety among teenagers. Recommendations included turning off notifications, avoiding taking devices into bedrooms, and refraining from using them before bed to mitigate the negative impact of excessive social media use.
The survey, conducted biennially, involved 130,000 young people in 2023 and covered various aspects of their lives, including mental health, relationships, and school experiences. The negative effects of social media and smartphones on young people have been well-documented, with reports indicating that older girls in some schools in Wales are exhibiting more challenging behavior due to breakdowns in friendship groups, fallout from social media activities, and low self-esteem. A debate scheduled in the Senedd on 14th May will address the possibility of banning smartphones in schools to address these concerns
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