Social media time does not increase teenagers’ mental health problems – study

A recent UK study by the University of Manchester, involving 25,000 adolescents aged 11-14, found no direct link between time spent on social media or gaming and increased mental health problems like anxiety or depression. Researchers tracked participants' self-reported technology use and emotional well-being over three school years. The study, published in the Journal of Public Health, examined the impact of both active and passive social media use. While the researchers acknowledge that negative online experiences can be harmful, they concluded that screen time alone does not cause mental health issues in teenagers. The findings challenge concerns that social media is driving an increase in mental health conditions, as UK ministers consider banning social media for under-16s.

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