A new study on social media use among teenagers
A recent analysis conducted by the Rey Juan Carlos University, the Pontifical Comillas University, and the Community of Madrid has highlighted the concerning link between excessive social media use and the mental health of young people. This study, which is based on a sample of 676 secondary and high school students, reveals that an astonishing 96% of young people aged 12 to 17 use platforms like TikTok and Instagram in their daily lives.
The results indicate that 76% of girls experience anxiety when they cannot respond immediately to messages, while this figure drops to 57% for boys. Additionally, 60% of respondents admit that their sleep is affected by the time they spend online. This digital dependency not only disrupts their sleep patterns but also impacts their self-esteem and emotional well-being.
TikTok has established itself as the preferred platform for this age group, with 38% using it predominantly. Researchers have found a significant correlation between intensive TikTok use and elevated levels of anxiety and depression. The addictive nature of the ‘infinite scroll’ seems to be one of the key factors behind the rise in emotional problems among teenagers.
As the study delves deeper, it is observed that girls tend to develop stronger emotional ties with their digital environments from an early age. This may explain why they are more susceptible to experiencing anxiety related to social media. On the other hand, while boys also face these challenges, their peaks of anxiety occur at different stages of development.
In light of these findings, experts like Ignacio Civeira, a psychiatrist at Gregorio Marañón Hospital, emphasize the importance of family dialogue to address these issues. “It is crucial to establish spaces where parents and children can openly discuss their relationship with technology,” Civeira points out.
The Community of Madrid has begun implementing initiatives to mitigate these negative effects. Ana Dávila, the Minister of Family, Youth and Social Affairs, has highlighted the creation of specialized centres to assist minors with issues related to excessive use of both video games and social media. Furthermore, Emilio Viciana, head of the regional education department, has advocated for policies such as banning mobile phone use in classrooms to promote a healthier environment.
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