IS SOCIAL MEDIA BECOMING TOO DANGEROUS?

Did you know that the average person spends 6 hours and 40 minutes on screen and scrolls the length of the Empire State Building every single day? For young people, that number jumps even higher—spending a staggering 8 hours and 38 minutes glued to their screens daily.

With so much of life now happening online, concerns about Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) are rising. The World Health Organisation warns that excessive screen time is leading to addiction-like behaviours—uncontrollable scrolling, anxiety when offline, and a sharp increase in mental health struggles.

But screen addiction is just one piece of the puzzle. Research shows that teens experiencing PSMU are three times more likely to suffer from irritability, nervousness, and exhaustion, and are significantly more likely to experience depression. And the dangers go beyond mental health: 60% of children as young as 8 are currently at risk of severe online harms, including cyberbullying, violent and sexual content, and risky contact with strangers. So, in a world where everything is online – from the news, to shopping, to connecting with friends and family – how can we keep our children safe?

SOLUTIONS ON THE RISE

As the body of evidence showing how social media is negatively impacting children’s mental health continues to grow, so do the solutions aimed at making sure that young people enjoy happier, healthier childhoods. From Australia, where the government is proposing a total social media ban for all children under 16, to the UK, where parents, politicians, and advocacy groups have come together to demand a Safer Phones Bill, we are seeing a rise in initiatives aspiring to reduce the time children spend online, and make sure that when they do access social media, it poses less risks.

These are just the first steps towards making the digital world safer for children, and truly transformative change will require action from everyone – parents, teachers, policymakers, and importantly social media platforms themselves. The internet should be a place where young people can learn, connect, and grow safely and that means pushing for stronger regulations around access, designing safer platforms , and empowering children to navigate the internet responsibly. Let’s work together to ensure that technology remains a force for good—so children can thrive, both online and in the real world.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

To find out more, visit these organisations working to create more positive, safer online environments:

Better Internet for Kids
DQ Institute
Childnet International
Safer Phones Bill
Ditch The Label

Author:Celeste Sangster, Senior Campaigns & Communications Manager, Project Everyone