Teens spending over six hours on social media face double anxiety risk: study
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A study following over 1,000 adolescents for seven years found a link between high social media use and increased anxiety symptoms.
- Adolescents spending more than six hours daily on social media showed double the risk of anxiety.
- TikTok has introduced new features like 'Scheduled Screen Time' and 'Sleep Schedules' within its Family Pairing tool to help parents monitor teen usage.
Adolescents who spend more than six hours a day on social media face double the risk of experiencing anxiety symptoms, according to a seven-year study of over 1,000 teenagers. The research highlights a significant correlation between extensive social media engagement and mental health challenges among young people.
In response to growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on youth, TikTok has implemented new features within its 'Family Pairing' tool. These include 'Scheduled Screen Time' and 'Sleep Schedules,' designed to provide parents with greater oversight and control over their teenagers' app usage.
The study's findings underscore the potential negative effects of prolonged exposure to social media environments on adolescent mental well-being. While platforms are introducing tools to mitigate risks, the research suggests a continued need for awareness and proactive measures to address anxiety among young users.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.