Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Department of Strategies in Countries and Health Systems of the WHO European Regional Office, said at the European Health Forum in Gastein that problematic behavior on the Internet, similar to addiction, is increasing among teenagers, informs edition of Politico.
She called on countries to consider regulating digital devices such as smartphones on a par with tobacco to reduce the negative impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
According to the WHO, addiction to online games and social networks among teenagers in Europe is gaining momentum. Countries can take advantage of the example of legislative measures in the field of health protection that have helped in the fight against harmful habits such as smoking.
Azzopardi-Muscat suggests introducing measures such as age restrictions, price regulation or the establishment of zones where the use of smartphones will be prohibited. This can help reduce the harmful effects of mobile devices in the same way that smoking in public places has been reduced. She noted: “Maybe we should think about where it’s appropriate to use digital devices, and where they should be banned, like we ban smoking in certain areas.”
It is also important to provide teenagers, regardless of their social status, with the knowledge and skills that will help them “rule the digital world, not let it rule them.”
According to the latest research by the WHO, which covered almost 280,000 teenagers in Europe, Central Asia and Canada, one in ten cannot control their use of social networks, which has a negative impact on their lives. Girls face such problems more often than boys — 13% versus 9%.
In addition, 12% of teenagers are prone to problem use of online games, with boys showing this behavior twice as often as girls.
Azzopardi-Muscat explained: “As with any other tool, digital devices can be used effectively, but we need to be careful, as some young people report problematic use, which can have a negative impact on their education, mental health and productivity.”
The question of the connection between the use of social networks and the mental health of adolescents is of increasing concern. The European Commission has already announced the first pan-European study of the impact of social networks on the well-being of young people.
However, according to the expert, you should not delay making decisions. “We must systematically collect evidence and evaluate which measures will be effective, but it is already clear that we cannot delay making decisions and actions.” – she concluded.
The European Commission has also launched an investigation into social media algorithms due to the risks of misinformation and harm to mental health.
