Delaying Children’s Introduction to Social Media Benefits Their Mental Health, Study Finds

A study conducted by the University of New South Wales has revealed that postponing the age at which children begin using social media has a positive effect on their mental health. The research showed that adolescents who start using social media at a younger age exhibit higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Lead researcher Suzen Swizer emphasized that the age at which children actually begin using their social media accounts is far more significant than merely having an account.

The new study indicates that delaying children’s social media usage by some time can have beneficial effects on their mental well-being. According to the University of New South Wales research in Australia, teenagers who start using social media earlier tend to experience more symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, the study found a comparatively weaker correlation between just having a social media account and mental health issues.

This research took place before access restrictions were put in place for children under 16 in Australia and involved adolescents aged 10 to 15 and their caregivers. Approximately 70 percent of participants reported already using social media, and more than half had active accounts. The average age at which they began using social media was found to be 11 years.

Lead investigator and UNSW Associate Professor Suzen Swizer said that the age when children start actively using social media plays a far more significant role in their mental health than simply possessing an account. She noted that this conclusion differs somewhat from prior expectations. Among study participants, about one-quarter of children aged 10 to 15 planned to stop using social media altogether if restrictions were imposed. Thirty-four percent expressed a wish to use social media without opening accounts, while 35 percent intended to seek ways to continue using their accounts despite restrictions.

The researchers recommend that delaying children’s access to social media could serve as an effective policy measure to protect mental health. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of providing education and guidance to foster safe and healthy digital habits among young people.