- A KidsRights report found that one in seven children and young people aged 10 to 19 suffers from a mental health problem.
AMSTERDAM: The “uncontrolled expansion” of social media is causing an unprecedented global mental health crisis for children and adolescents, a children’s NGO said on Wednesday, calling for urgent, coordinated action worldwide.
A KidsRights report found that one in seven children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 suffers from a mental health problem, and the global suicide rate is six per 100,000 people aged 15 to 19.
Even these high figures represent the “tip of the iceberg,” according to the Amsterdam-based group, as suicides are largely underreported due to stigma.
“This year’s report is a wake-up call we can no longer ignore,” said Mark Dullaert, chairman of KidsRights.
“Our children’s mental health crisis has reached a crisis point, exacerbated by the unchecked expansion of social media platforms that put interaction above child safety,” he added.
The report says so-called “problematic” use of social media is on the rise and also finds a direct link between heavy internet use and suicide attempts.
However, the group warned that blanket bans were not the solution.
Australia has passed a law banning the use of social media by people under 16.
“Such blanket bans may violate children’s civil and political rights,” including access to information, the report said.
The group called for a “comprehensive assessment of the impact of social media on children’s rights” at the global level, improved education for children and better training for mental health professionals.
The report highlights the popularity of Netflix’s hit series Teens, which highlights some of the toxic content children are viewing online.
The miniseries “demonstrated a general awareness of these issues, but awareness alone is not enough,” Dullaert said.
“We need concrete action to ensure that the digital revolution improves, rather than threatens, the well-being of the world’s 2.2 billion children,” he said. “The time for half measures is over.”
