Social media and children’s mental health
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has published a report examining the evidence of the impact of using social media on young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Conclusions following a round-up of the latest evidence include: there is no scientific consensus on the impact of screen-based lifestyles on the mental health of young people; there is limited research on effective interventions to address online risk, for example interventions to prevent or reduce cyber-bullying among young people; restricting access to the internet may reduce the likelihood of young people experiencing online risk, but it also restricts the opportunities for young people to develop digital skills and to build resilience. Recommendations include: more research on the positive and negative influences of social media on young people’s mental health; and focusing policy on how to develop resilience in young people to maintain their emotional and mental wellbeing and to live safe digital lives.
Source: EPI Date: 30 June 2017
Further information: Social media and children’s mental health: a review of the evidence (PDF)
