Digital health at risk: WHO report warns of rising social media addiction and gaming risks among adolescents
New data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe shows a shift in adolescent behavior with problematic social media use increased, affecting over 10% of teenagers, prompting urgent calls for enhanced digital literacy education and mental health support. Kazinform News Agency correspondent looked into the results.
The latest Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, surveying nearly 280,000 teenagers across Europe, central Asia, and Canada, reveals a rise in social media addiction from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. More than 10% of adolescents struggle to control their social media use, with higher levels reported by girls (13%) compared to boys (9%).
The report defines problematic social media use as an addiction-like behavior characterized by withdrawal, neglect of other activities, and negative impacts on daily life, with users also reporting lower mental well-being, higher substance use, and less sleep, potentially affecting their academic performance and health. However, it is important to note that teenagers who are heavy but non-problematic social media users reported stronger peer support and social connections, noting the potential benefits of responsible use despite the risks associated with problematic behavior.
Regarding gaming, the findings show that 34% of adolescents play digital games daily, with 22% gaming for at least 4 hours on those days, while 68% were classified as non-problematic gamers and 12% were at risk of problematic gaming. Dr. Claudia Marino from the University of Padova additionally pointed out gender differences in gaming habits, noting that boys not only game more frequently but are also more prone to developing problematic gaming behaviors (16% vs. 7% compared to girls).
“It’s clear that social media can have both positive and negative consequences on the health and well-being of adolescents. That’s why digital literacy education is so important. Yet it remains inadequate in many countries, and where it is available, it often fails to keep pace with young people and rapidly evolving technology. We are seeing the consequences of this gap, with worse likely to come, unless governments, health authorities, teachers and parents recognize the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it. As millions of children across the region return to school after the summer holidays, some countries are considering restrictions or outright bans on social media for children up to a certain age. It’s clear we need immediate and sustained action to help adolescents turn the tide on potentially damaging social media use, which has been shown to lead to depression, bullying, anxiety and poor academic performance,” says Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe concluded.
Looking forward, the WHO calls for immediate and sustained action to protect adolescent well-being, including investing in health-promoting school environments with embedded digital literacy education, enhancing access to affordable mental health services, and promoting open dialogue about digital well-being within families and communities. Additionally, the WHO emphasizes the need for specialized training for educators and healthcare providers, alongside enforcing platform accountability to ensure age restrictions and responsible design of digital tools for young users.
