Cambridge scientists: How do social networks affect the mental health of adolescents?

Today, social networks have become an integral part of our lives. But how does the time spent on these networks affect the mental health of adolescents? In order to answer this question, scientists from the University of Cambridge conducted a large-scale study.

They found that young people with mental illnesses spend significantly more time on social networks than their healthy peers. This is especially true for adolescents with diseases associated with internal emotions, such as depression and anxiety.

The study involved 3,340 young people aged 11 to 19, and their behavior and mental health on social networks were scientifically assessed. The scientific article on this topic was published in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behaviour (NHB).

It turned out that adolescents with psychological problems spend an average of 50 minutes more time per day on social networks. They also compare themselves to others more often and are dissatisfied with the number of friends and followers they have on social media. This, in turn, can negatively affect their mood and worsen their mental health.

According to the researchers, it is precisely factors such as "likes", comments and the number of friends observed on social media that lead to increased symptoms of low self-esteem, anxiety and depression in adolescents. As a result of social comparison, adolescents experience feelings of rejection and lack of self-confidence, which negatively affects their conscious lives.

"This study does not establish cause and effect, but it confirms that adolescents with psychological problems act differently on social media. These young people face difficulties finding their place in the online environment," said the study's lead author, Louise Fassi.

According to scientists, mental health problems can affect the behavior of adolescents in the online environment, and in turn, excessive time spent on social networks can further worsen their mental health.

Therefore, experts are urging parents and educators to monitor the activities of adolescents on the Internet, communicate openly with them and seek psychological help if necessary. Because it is becoming clear that social networks, when used correctly and in moderation, can be useful, but if left unchecked, they can pose a serious threat to the mental health of adolescents.

Therefore, today it is more urgent than ever to monitor the time spent on social networks and strengthen work on maintaining the mental health of young people. In this regard, the joint action of families, schools and society is of great importance. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!