WHO Warns of Rising Social Media Addiction Among Young Europeans
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the increasing rates of problematic social media use among adolescents in Europe. In a statement released on Thursday, WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge emphasized the urgent need for action to combat the negative effects of social media, which can lead to serious mental health issues such as depression, bullying, and anxiety. The data suggests that in 2022, 11% of adolescents reported signs of problematic use, a significant increase from 7% just four years prior.
The findings are based on a comprehensive study involving 280,000 young individuals aged 11 to 15 from 44 countries across Europe, Central Asia, and Canada. The report highlights that Romanian adolescents show the highest prevalence of problematic social media use at 28%, while Dutch adolescents report the lowest at just 3%. The symptoms of addiction include an inability to control usage, withdrawal feelings, and neglecting other activities in favor of social media engagement.
Gaming Addiction Also on the Rise
In addition to social media concerns, the WHO report indicates that gaming addiction is also a growing issue among young people. A staggering one-third of adolescents play online games daily, with 22% engaging for at least four hours at a time. The study found that 12% of adolescents exhibit problematic gaming behaviors, with boys being more affected than girls.
Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, a WHO/Europe official, stated the importance of protecting young individuals in the digital landscape to ensure they can make informed decisions about their online activities. She noted that while social media can foster connections among peers, it is crucial for young people to control their digital interactions rather than be controlled by them. The WHO urges national authorities to enhance digital environments and implement educational measures that promote safe navigation of the online world.
