"We're not saying that fewer happy people use more social media.
"We're saying that the connection is not getting stronger."
And this was a warning to regulators and lawmakers focusing on commonly held beliefs about the harmful effects of technology on young people's mental health.
The Cybersurvey – carried out by Youthworks in partnership with Internet Matters – is the largest and most robust survey of its kind in the UK, with nearly 15,000 children aged 11-17 taking part across 82 schools across the country. In the latest report, it draws out key themes from what young people tell us about their online lives.
This report provides evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people aged 5-15, as well as about the media access and use of young children aged 3-4.
It also includes findings on parents’ views about their children’s media use, and how they monitor and limit it.
This briefing advocates for a broader recognition of young people’s investments in digital intimacies, acknowledging what growing up and learning about sex in the digital age means for young people in order to inform future policy
and practice.
Fears than being hooked on social media is creating a generation of depressed and anxious teenagers have been overstated, according to a study which found it has a "trivial" effect on life satisfaction.
Ministers and parent groups have raised the alarm about excessive time spent on sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
But University of Oxford researchers found little evidence to support it making heavy users less content.
But here’s how to find out: Scientists need to ask better questions — and big tech needs to help.
Comments
make a comment