Global Health: Increasing problematic use of social networks among young Europeans | Cheers

The World Health Organization warned on Thursday that “difficult” use of social networks is increasing among young Europeans, noting that a greater number of them are now at risk. Addiction games.

The group’s European director, Hans Kluge, said in a statement, “Immediate and sustained action is needed to help adolescents stop the potentially harmful use of social media, which has been shown to be causing depression, bullying, anxiety, and poor education. consequences.”

Signs of problematic use of social networks were recorded among 11% of adolescents (13% of girls and 9% of boys) in 2022, while this percentage was limited to 7% 4 years ago, according to data from 280,000 teenagers aged 11, 13, and 15 years from 44 countries in Europe, Central Asia and Canada.

This means that addiction-like symptoms appeared among them, including the inability to control excessive use, what are known as withdrawal symptoms and feelings of inferiority, abandoning other activities in favor of social media, and the negative effects of overuse on a daily basis. life

It has been noted that Romanian teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 are the most affected by this phenomenon, as it affects 28% of them, while Dutch teenagers are the least affected. influencing (3%).

It is also a matter of concern that a third of teenagers play online every day, and 22% of them for at least 4 hours, according to what the World Health Organization said, which indicated that 12% of adolescents involved in problematic behavior related to gaming (16% of boys and 7% of girls).

The statement quoted Europe’s Global Health Officer Natacha Azzopardi-Muscat as saying: “It is vital to take steps to protect young people so they can navigate the digital landscape safely and make informed choices to do about their online activities, by increasing the work. benefits while reducing the risks that threaten them. ”The mental and social health.

However, the United Nations organization highlighted the benefits of using social media wisely, especially in terms of communication between those who have the same feelings and interests.

36% of boys and 44% of girls aged 15 years said that they are always in digital communication with their friends.

Azzopardi-Muscat emphasized that young people “must take control of social networks, and not let them control them. “

From this perspective, WHO recommended that national authorities develop digital environments and educational measures to allow young people to understand the digital world safely.