By 2022, social media’s ubiquitous impact on adolescents will have shaped the communication habits of over 139 million Instagram users aged 10-19 and 120.2 million Facebook users worldwide. Social media, an ever-evolving platform for microblogging, content creation, sharing, and networking, satisfies adolescents’ desires for autonomy, community, and connection. Â
The World Health Organization has acknowledged social media as a powerful tool for health promotion, and research has shown that its use is related to a number of good behavioral changes, including more excellent physical activity, improved nutritional habits, and easier access to health information. However, some are afraid that the digital revolution will aggravate youngsters’ antisocial behavior, drug usage, and unsafe sexual activity. Â
The use of social media and health-related risky behaviors are intricately linked. A complicated web of interactions, including social media, marketing, and user-generated material that promotes hazardous items, has an influence on the health of adolescents. Adolescents are equally vulnerable to having their offline activities influenced by what they see online. Â
Despite the large number of users, not all teenagers are equally vulnerable to the negative impacts of social media on health risk behaviors. Previous research has primarily focused on college and university students rather than the larger teenage population. Another concern is the lack of research on the possible amplification of health inequalities as a result of socioeconomic disparity. Â
To bridge these gaps, this thorough systematic analysis looked at the relationship between adolescent social media usage and a variety of health risk behaviors. Scientists examined demographic parameters such as age, gender, socioeconomic level, and developmental stage to evaluate the frequency and length of social media usage, the quantity of potentially hazardous information that users encounter, and whether or not any disparities existed. Â
According to one systematic study, adolescents who spend too much time on social media are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Gambling, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, smoking more, and utilizing electronic nicotine delivery devices are some examples of these behaviors. Exposure to social media information that encouraged health risk behaviors, notably poor eating and excessive alcohol usage, was the most persuasive indication of damage. Â
The study’s strengths include extensive use of adjusted estimates and randomized controlled trials, rigorous assessment of bias risk, and GRADE-confident evidence. Because of limitations such as the frequency of self-reported social media measures and the possibility of confounding variables, the results must be interpreted with caution. Â
The findings of this study have important policy implications, including the need to regulate and act to reduce the risks that teenagers face when using social media. Much research has focused on high-income nations, but there is a need for studies to widen their reach to include low- and middle-income countries as well.
According to the study, a comprehensive approach to ensure children’s online safety should include digital literacy, school training, and the distribution of materials to parents, educators, and health professionals. Furthermore, it is emphasized that regulation should be changed to include influencer marketing in particular and that verified social media usage standards should be adopted. Â
Finally, our extensive study offers insight into the complex link between adolescent social media usage and health risk behaviors. Adolescent safety in the present digital era demands a thorough awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Â
Journal Reference Â
Purba, A. K., Thomson, R. M., Henery, P. M., Pearce, A., Henderson, M., & Katikireddi, S. V. (2023). Social media use and health risk behaviours in young people: systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj-2022-073552
