社交媒体和年轻人的精神健康.pdf

9:41 AM 89% #StatusOfMind Social media and young peoples mental health and wellbeing May 20172 Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health Section Page 1. Foreword 5 1. Background 6 2. Potential effects of social media (negative) 8 3. Potential effects of social media (positive) 13 4. Profiling social media platforms: the YHM survey 17 5. At a glance: ranking of social media platforms by health impact 18 6. Calls to action 24 ContentsStatus of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health 3 KEY POINTS CALLS TO ACTION 91% of 16-24 year olds use the internet for social networking Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol Rates of anxiety and depression in young people have risen 70% in the past 25 years Social media use is linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep Cyber bullying is a growing problem with 7 in 10 young people saying they have experienced it Social media can improve young peoples access to other peoples experiences of health and expert health information Those who use social media report being more emotionally supported through their contacts Introduction of a pop-up heavy usage warning on social media Social media platforms to highlight when photos of people have been digitally manipulated NHS England to apply the Information Standard Principles to health information published via social media Safe social media use to be taught during PSHE education in schools Social media platforms to identify users who could be suffering from mental health problems by their posts, and discreetly signpost to support Youth-workers and other professionals who engage with young people to have a digital (including social) media component in their training More research to be carried out into the effects of social media on young peoples mental healthSocial media is now a part of almost everyones life, but none more so than our young population of digital natives. Its rise to popularity during the mid-2000s has revolutionised the way in which we communicate and share information, both as individuals and as a society. Whilst social media has permeated nearly every aspect of the mainstream, we are only just beginning to take stock of the extent to which it impacts our lives. With growing consideration being given to the importance of mental health and wellbeing within the health discourse, there has never been a more pertinent time to talk about the relationship between social media and mental health. Social media has become a space in which we form and build relationships, shape self-identity, express ourselves, and learn about the world around us; it is intrinsically linked to mental health. We must therefore strive to understand its impact on mental health, and especially the mental health of the younger population. The highest prevalence of social media use is seen amongst those aged 16-24. That these years are a crucial period for emotional and psychosocial development only reinforces the need for greater understanding of social medias impact. It certainly isnt all bad news; social media platforms can promote a sense of community and facilitate the provision of emotional support. With its almost universal reach and unprecedented ability to connect people from all walks of life, social media holds the potential to be a powerful lever to support good mental health. But there are also risks, risks which have already opened the door to significant problems for mental health and wellbeing, and which must be addressed if social media is to fulfill its potential as a force for good. Being a teenager is hard enough, but the pressures faced by young people online are arguably unique to this digital generation. It is vitally important that we put safeguards in place. We hope that this report, its findings, and the issues it explores can really push forward the conversation surrounding social media and young peoples mental health and wellbeing. We hope that this conversation will be transformed into action that empowers young people with the knowledge and tools to navigate social platforms online in a way that protects and promotes their health and wellbeing. Social media isnt going away any time soon, and nor should it. We must be ready to nurture the innovation that the future holds. Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health 5 Foreword Dr Becky Inkster Cambridge Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Shirley Cramer CBE Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health6 Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health Social media has revolutionised the way we connect with each other. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are now used by one in four people worldwide. 1The use of social media has become an integral part of many peoples lives, connecting them with friends, family and strangers from across the globe. Many young people have never known a world without instant access to the internet and social networking platforms. The internet and social media has transformed the way in which this generation - commonly known as digital natives - interact and communicate with each other. 2While this presents great opportunities for innovation, learning and creativity, emerging evidence is raising concerns about the potential implications for our young peoples mental health. Social media addiction is thought to affect around 5% of young people, 3with social media being described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol. 4 Such is the concern surrounding social media and young people that in late 2016 MPs debated the issue in Parliament. 5The platforms that are supposed to help young people connect with each other may actually be fuelling a mental health crisis. 6Daily, or almost daily use of the internet has risen rapidly in the last decade. In 2006, just 35% of people in the UK used the internet on a daily basis. This figure has now climbed to 82% of people in 2016. 7 Overall use of social media has also risen broadly in line with internet use. In 2007, only 22% of people in the UK had at least one social media profile; by 2016, this figure had risen to 89%. 8, 9, 10Facebook is the most commonly used social media platform with around 30 million UK users. Twitter comes in as the second most used with 15 million UK users. The next most popular platforms are Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and Snapchat. 11Social media use is far more prevalent among young people than older generations. The 16-24 age group are by far the most active social media users with 91% using the internet for social media. Compare this with 51% of 55-64 year olds and only 23% of the 65 plus age range and it is clear there is currently a generational disparity when looking at social media usage. 12Background Social media: “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking”The way young people communicate and share with each other has changed. With social media being such a new phenomenon, the exact effect it is having on the mental health, emotional wellbeing and physiology of young people is currently unclear and much of the evidence available is conflicting. However, recent studies have raised serious concerns about the possible detrimental effects the rise of increasingly frequent social media use is having on our young people and in particular, their mental health. Adolescence and early adulthood is a critical and potentially vulnerable time for social and emotional development, which means understanding the effects of social media on health at this stage is of particular interest. This report identified by expert academics, explores both the positive and negative impacts social media, may be having on young peoples mental health and emotional wellbeing, and suggests ways in which the risks to health can be mitigated, whilst harnessing and promoting the positive aspects. Social media can and should be utilised as a tool for good the challenge is to ensure social media companies are doing their utmost to make platforms a safe place to be, and for our young people to be equipped with the relevant skills to be able to navigate them and know where to seek help, should they need it. Social media use by age group Age Group Source: Office for National Statistics % that use social media 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 16 24 25 34 35 44 45 54 55 64 65+ 91% of 16-24 year olds use the internet for social media 7 Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health8 Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental healthWhat are the potential negative effects of social media on health? 1. Anxiety and depression One in six young people will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives and identified rates of anxiety and depression in young people have increased by 70% over the past 25 years. 13Our own research has shown that young people themselves say four of the five most used social media platforms actually make their feelings of anxiety worse (see YHM survey - page 18). Anxiety can have a hugely detrimental impact on a young persons life. Feelings of overwhelming worry and panic can take over and make it hard for them to leave the house, attend classes or lectures, or perform at work. Anxiety may be diagnosed as a specific mental health disorder such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 14Research suggests that young people who are heavy users of social media - spending more than two hours per day on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - are more likely to report poor mental health, including psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression). 15Seeing friends constantly on holiday or enjoying nights out can make young people feel like they are missing out while others enjoy life. These feelings can promote a compare and despair attitude in young people. Individuals may view heavily photoshopped - dont hypenate, edited or staged photographs and videos and compare them to their seemingly mundane lives. The findings of a small study, commissioned by Anxiety UK, supported this idea and found evidence of social media feeding anxiety and increasing feelings of inadequacy. 16The unrealistic expectations set by social media may leave young people with feelings of self- consciousness, low self-esteem and the pursuit of perfectionism which can manifest as anxiety disorders. 17Use of social media, particularly operating more than one social media account simultaneously, has also been shown to be linked with symptoms of social anxiety. 18As well as anxiety disorders, nearly 80,000 children and young people in the UK suffer with severe depression. 19There is growing evidence linking social media use and depression in young people, with studies showing that increased use is associated with significantly increased odds of depression. 20Using social media for more than two hours per day has also been independently associated with poor self-rating of mental health, increased levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation. 21This phenomenon has even been labelled as Facebook depression by researchers who suggest that the intensity of the online world - where teens and young adults are constantly contactable, face pressures from unrealistic representations of reality, and deal with online peer pressure - may be responsible for triggering depression or exacerbating existing conditions. 22 One piece of research has even gone as far as attempting to predict depression in individuals based solely on their social media postings. They were able to predict depression with up to 70% accuracy merely by studying an individuals posts on Twitter. 23 Anonymous 20-24 y/o Northern England “.it has increased my level of anxiety and social anxiety Im constantly worried about what others think of my posts and pictures.”Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental health 9 2. Sleep Sleep and mental health are tightly linked. Poor mental health can lead to poor sleep and poor sleep can lead to states of poor mental health. 24Sleep is particularly important for teens and young adults due to this being a key time for development. 25The brain is not fully developed until a person is well into their twenties and thirties. 26Sleep is essential for allowing us to function properly during waking hours and teens need around 1-2 hours more sleep every night than adults. 27Poor sleep is linked to a wide range of both physical and mental health conditions in adults including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke and depression. 28,29Anonymous 14-16 y/o Northern Ireland “the time you can spend on some of these apps - they can be very addictive. I lose time to revise, cant do homework, cant interact with family/friends and lose a lot of sleep at night time.” Anonymous 14-16 y/o Southern England “This social media resulted in me not eating properly and losing a lot of weight and becoming very depressed, I finally recovered which was hard for myself to be bullied online again in year 8. Overall I would say social media has caused me many issues and has caused me to be depressed many times.” 80,000 children and young people in the UK suffer from severe depression Source: Mind Feelings of worry and/or stress Low self esteem Tiredness Difficulty coping with daily life Lack of sleep10 Status of Mind: Social media and young peoples mental healthNumerous studies have shown that increased social media use has a significant association with poor sleep quality in young people. 30Using social media on phones, laptops and tablets at night before bed is also linked with poor quality sleep, even more so than regular daytime use of social media. 31,32It is thought that the use of LED lights before sleep can interfere with and block natural processes in the brain that trigger feelings of sleepiness, as well as the release of the sleep hormone, melatonin. 33This means it takes longer to fall asleep and individuals end up getting fewer hours of sleep every night. 34 One in five young people say they wake up during the night to check messages on social media, leading them to be three times more likely to feel constantly tired at school than their classmates who dont use social media during the night. 35 3. Body image Body image is an issue for many young people, both male and female, but particularly females in their teens and early twenties. As many as nine in 10 teenage girls say they are unhappy with their body. 36 There are 10 million new photographs uploaded to Facebook alone