rom Wednesday (December 10), Australia will impose a world-first social media ban on under-16s, blocking them from TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Over a million children will lose their accounts during the summer break, a shift that could help by limiting harmful content but also strain mental health by cutting off support and social connection.
Dr Daniela Vecchio says, 'The suffering of people who are addicted to gaming and social media, the struggle of their families, and the need for screening, prevention, early intervention, and treatment are highlighted in my interview. Thanks to Reuters, the message is now being spread worldwide.
Watch the report on Reuters.
In the past few years internet addiction (IA) and internet gaming disorder (IGD) have become very frequent, leading to many personality and psychiatric disorders including low self-esteem, impulsivity, poor sleep quality, mood disorder, and suicide. IA has been included in Appendix III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as IGD. In addition, IA leads to many neuroanatomical and neurochemical alterations including cortical thinning of various components of the brain and altered dopaminergic reward circuitry.
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As the world digitises, children and adolescents are increasingly using digital technologies. These devices offer benefits such as exposure to social contacts and support, potential learning opportunities and access to health promotion material. However, along with these benefits, emerging evidence is indicating that frequent, extended use of digital devices is associated with negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.
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New data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This, coupled with findings that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of young people.
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