Bulgaria Faces Growing Childhood Obesity Crisis
On November 8, Europe observes the Day of Healthy Food and Cooking
New WHO/Europe report indicates need for healthier online habits among adolescents
New data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This, coupled with findings that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of Europe's youth. These findings come from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which surveyed almost 280,000 young people aged 11, 13, and 15 across 44 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia and Canada in 2022.
Key findings include:
The report defines problematic social media use as a pattern of behaviour characterised by addiction-like symptoms. These include an inability to control social media usage, experiencing withdrawal when not using it, neglecting other activities in favour of social media, and facing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use.
Implications of increased problematic social media use
The rise in problematic social media use among adolescents raises significant concerns about potential impacts on young people. Previous research has found that problematic social media users also reported lower mental and social well-being and higher levels of substance use compared to non-problematic users and non-users. This trend, if continued, could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and long-term health outcomes. Moreover, problematic social media use has been associated with less sleep and later bedtimes, potentially impacting adolescents' overall health and academic performance.
"It’s clear that social media can have both positive and negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of adolescents,” noted Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. "That’s why digital literacy education is so important. Yet it remains inadequate in many countries, and where it is available, it often fails to keep pace with young people and rapidly evolving technology. We are seeing the consequences of this gap, with worse likely to come, unless governments, health authorities, teachers and parents recognise the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it. As millions of children across the Region return to school after the summer holidays, some countries are considering restrictions or outright bans on social media for children up to a certain age. It’s clear we need immediate and sustained action to help adolescents turn the tide on potentially damaging social media use, which has been shown to lead to depression, bullying, anxiety, and poor academic performance.”
Positive aspects of social media use
While the report highlights the risks, it also underscores the benefits of responsible social media use. Adolescents who are heavy but non-problematic users reported stronger peer support and social connections.
As one 17-year-old boy from Poland shared, "There are many benefits of social media, especially when they are used in moderation. Among the benefits, there is connection and connectedness. Teenagers may meet others who share their passions and interests."
“This study reveals both the promise and the pitfalls of digital engagement for our young people,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director for Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO/Europe. “It's crucial that we take steps to protect youth to navigate the digital landscape safely and equip them to make informed choices about their online activities, maximising the benefits while minimising the risks to their mental and social well-being. In short, they should rule social media, and not have social media ruling them."
Gaming trends and their implications
The report also reveals that 34% of adolescents play digital games daily, with 22% playing for at least four hours on gaming days. While 68% were classified as non-problematic gamers, 12% were at risk of problematic gaming.
A previous HBSC study examining problematic online gaming behaviour in five countries found associations with lower life satisfaction, more frequent psychological complaints, and lower peer support. However, for many adolescents, gaming remains a harmless or even beneficial pastime.
Dr Claudia Marino, one of the report authors at the University of Padova, noted: "The gender differences in gaming patterns are striking. Boys not only show higher rates of daily gaming but are also more likely to develop problematic gaming habits. This highlights the need for targeted interventions that consider gender-specific motivations and risk factors in gaming behaviour."
Targeted interventions
Interventions to address problematic social media use should be age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and culturally tailored. They should focus on helping young people develop digital literacy skills, promote healthy online behaviours, and provide support for those at risk of problematic use.
As one boy from England suggested, "I think it is more important to make social media better and safer and teach people how to use it safely and to look after themselves."
This highlights the need for improved digital environments and education that empower young people to navigate online spaces safely.
Roadmap for action
While the findings are sobering, they also offer a roadmap for the way ahead. The WHO Regional Office for Europe - covering Europe and Central Asia - calls upon policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to prioritise adolescent digital well-being with the following specific calls to action:
"Ultimately, what we are seeking to achieve for our children is a solid foundation for life in the digital age, something social media companies and young people alike are beginning to acknowledge and act upon around the world," concluded Dr Kluge. "Digital literacy in the context of child development and well-being, informed by the right knowledge at the right time along with the right health and other support services, are critical. By empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their online activities, balancing their online and offline worlds, we ultimately help safeguard and improve their overall well-being. This is crucial for ensuring a healthier, more balanced digital future for all communities, societies and countries."
The full report is available for download at here.
On November 8, Europe observes the Day of Healthy Food and Cooking
The United Kingdom has reported two additional cases of mpox clade Ib, marking the first confirmed instances of local transmission in the WHO European Region
During the first two quarters of 2024, Bulgaria saw a consistent increase in stroke cases by 1.3% to 1.5%, indicating a projected annual total of nearly 50,500 cases
According to a new study from the Universities of Surrey and Oxford, Loughborough University, and Radboud University in the Netherlands, activating a brain region with electrical noise stimulation may improve mathematical learning in those who struggle wi
Nearly 300 residents from Mala Prespa in Albania, where a Bulgarian community resides, received free medical check-ups from a team of prominent Bulgarian doctors
Peptides are emerging as promising biomolecules in a variety of scientific research fields due to their versatile physiological properties and molecular functions.
Bulgaria Ranks Second in the Balkans at Paris 2024 Olympics, 26th Overall
Bulgaria Leads Europe in Heat-Related Deaths in Record-Breaking 2023