Social media use among kids surges over 200% since COVID.
Social media use among kids surged over 200% since COVID, replacing sports, reading, and arts.
Why it matters
- Social media is replacing key developmental activities like sports, reading, and arts among children.
- This shift could have lasting impacts on young people’s wellbeing.
By the numbers
- Study tracked 14,000 students aged 11-14 from 2019 to 2022.
- Daily social media use surged from 26% to 85%.
- Kids never reading for pleasure rose from 11% to 53%.
- Non-participation in arts increased from 26% to 70%.
- Music participation dropped from 70% to 85% non-participants.
The big picture
- Social media has become deeply embedded in children’s daily lives, replacing activities crucial for healthy development.
- Australia is considering a national ban on social media for children under 16 to address this issue.
What they're saying
- Concerns about long-term consequences on attention span, social skills, and mental health.
- Discussion on addiction and the role of parental supervision in managing children's social media use.
Caveats
- Findings are based on self-reported data.
- The study focuses on Australia but may have broader implications.
- The impact of the upcoming national ban is unknown.
What’s next
- Implementation of a national ban on social media for children under 16 in Australia.
- Ongoing monitoring of social media use and its shift to other platforms.