\u201cSocial media is inherently complex, but trying to set guidelines for \u2018consumption\u2019 the same way we do for alcohol or food \u2013 as policy makers have tried and failed to do – is a massive oversimplification,\u201d says Orben.<\/p>\n
Everybody uses social media differently, and it affects our lives in such a diversity of ways, that setting a recommended daily screen time is far from simple.<\/p>\n
Orben adds: \u201cYou could use it for twenty minutes to keep in touch with family abroad, or twenty minutes to look at self-harm images on Instagram, for example. The relationship with mental health is really complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has found that adolescents who use more social media score lower on mental health questionnaires \u2013 but it\u2019s not clear whether social media makes them feel worse, or whether they turn to social media more when they feel worse. And of course, social media isn\u2019t the only thing affecting how adolescents feel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are other things like sleep, parenting, and environment that all affect wellbeing. I don\u2019t think we have the evidence yet to say we should invest lots of money into decreasing social media use, and not invest in other things like youth clubs or better mental health care for adolescents,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n #Socialmedia<\/a>: lifeline during the #pandemic<\/a>, or cause of #mental<\/a> #health<\/a> problems? @tylershores<\/a> and @OrbenAmy<\/a> discuss ahead of their free talk @Cambridge_Fest<\/a> @IntellForum<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/xsYH8i8VTY<\/a> via @cambridge<\/a>-uni #technology<\/a> #21stc<\/a><\/p>\n — Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) March 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n