The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Wednesday about a “sharp rise in problematic social media use” among teenagers in Europe, indicating that this trend is detrimental to their mental health.
The European branch of the WHO also noted that more than one in ten adolescents are at “risk of problematic gaming.” Problematic use is characterized by “addiction-like symptoms,” according to WHO Europe.
“It’s clear we need immediate and sustained action to help adolescents combat potentially harmful social media use, which has been linked to depression, bullying, anxiety, and poor academic performance,” stated Hans Kluge, director of WHO Europe.
Addiction-like symptoms can include difficulty controlling use, neglecting other activities in favor of social media, and experiencing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use.
WHO Europe encompasses 53 countries, including Central Asia. In 2022, 11 percent of adolescents (13 percent of girls and 9 percent of boys) exhibited signs of problematic social media use, up from 7 percent four years prior. This data was drawn from 280,000 individuals aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada.
The highest prevalence was found among female Romanian teenagers aged 13 and 15, where 28 percent showed such symptoms, while only 3 percent of male Dutch teenagers reported similar issues.
Additionally, one-third of adolescents engage in online gaming daily, with 22 percent playing for at least four hours. The WHO also reported that 12 percent of the total group is at risk of problematic gambling, with young boys being more affected—16 percent compared to 7 percent of girls.
“It’s crucial that we take steps to help youth navigate the digital landscape safely and empower them to make informed decisions about their online activities,” said Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director for Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO Europe.
At the same time, the agency acknowledged the positive aspects of social media. Among young people, 36 percent—44 percent of 15-year-old girls—reported being in constant digital contact with friends.
“Young people should control social media, not the other way around,” Azzopardi-Muscat emphasized.
WHO Europe called on national authorities to invest in digital literacy programs in schools, improve mental health services, provide training for teachers and healthcare providers, and enforce accountability for social media companies.
