BREAKING: A new study has confirmed that a mere one-week social media detox can drastically reduce anxiety and depression symptoms among young people. This urgent finding comes just ahead of the Albanese Government’s new age ban on social media, set to take effect on December 10, 2023.
Conducted by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the United States, the study involved 373 participants aged 18-24. It reveals a direct link between excessive social media use and worsening mental health. Those who engaged in problematic social media behaviors, such as negative social comparisons, exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Participants who undertook a one-week detox from platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X saw remarkable results. Their weekly screen time plummeted from an average of 13.25 hours to 9.2 hours. This reduction led to an astounding 25% decrease in depression symptoms, a 16% reduction in anxiety, and a 14.5% decline in insomnia symptoms.
The detox was particularly effective for those with severe depression, yet even participants without initial depression reported significant improvements. The study emphasizes that problematic social media use, especially involving negative social comparisons, correlates strongly with increased mental health issues.
“Our findings suggest that the problematic uses of social media, particularly those involving negative social comparison, are more consistently associated with greater symptom severity of depression, anxiety, and insomnia,” the study states.
Despite these promising results, researchers urge for further studies to explore the implications of social media use on mental health across more diverse populations.
As Australia prepares to enforce a ban on social media for individuals under 16, the implications of this study become even more pressing. The upcoming legislation aims to remove access to major platforms for children, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch, in an effort to safeguard mental health.
This urgent research highlights the need for awareness regarding social media consumption and its potential consequences on young people’s mental well-being. With the deadline approaching for the social media age ban, parents and guardians are encouraged to consider the benefits of reducing screen time for their children.
Stay tuned for further updates as this crucial issue develops.
