A recent study involving 12,000 US children aged 9-12 reveals that while previously established links between social media use and depression are concerning, it appears that the relationship is more complex. Although happy and depressed children engaged similarly with social media, it was older children aged 12 and 13 who showed increased depressive symptoms correlating with social media use. Significant Internet-related issues such as cyberbullying were identified as critical factors influencing mental health outcomes.
Letting children use social media sites like Instagram and TikTok is putting them at risk of depression in their teen years, experts have suggested.
Official data suggests nearly a quarter of children in England have a mental disorder like depression, up from one in five a year prior.
The researchers said parents and children unfortunately face 'a catch-22' situation regarding social media.
Dr Jason Nagata, an expert in pediatrics at UCSF, pointed out that cyber bullying and lack of sleep are significant drivers of depressive symptoms.
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