Researchers from the University of Essex and UCL confirm that there is an association between the increase in time spent on social networks in early adolescence, around 10 years, and the decline in well-being enjoyed by young people in late adolescence, which It arrives between 10 and 15 years.
The amazing thing about this study is that they are the girls who make the most use of social networks.
According to the data, at approximately thirteen, half of the girls were already using social networks during more than an hour a day while if we compare it with children, only one third of them interact with them.
In the following age range, fifteen, both sexes were progressively increasing the use they made of social networks but it was the girls who continued to make up a higher percentage, a 59% versus 46%.
"Our findings suggest that it is important to monitor interactions with social networks early, especially in girls, as this could have an impact on well-being later in adolescence and perhaps throughout adulthood," says Dr. Cara Booker. , author of the study.
The greater use of social networks, less well-being
Throughout the investigation a panel of 9,859 teenagers in the United Kingdom, ages 10 to 15, those who were asked about their use of social networks as well as some aspects of their lives that made them happy: family, friends or game to be able to value their well-being.
Analysts noted that the happiness score dropped almost three points from 36.9 to 33.3 in girls and two points, from 36.02 to 34.55, in boys.
On the other hand, regarding the scores SDQ (Strengths and Dialogue Questionnaire) Aspects related to the possible emotional and behavioral problems of the children were measured. It was here that the investigation turned around and scores increased for girls.
Finally the conclusions that can be highlighted is that welfare is lower for both sexes and that the data cannot be taken as definitive since the report only includes the use that minors make of these platforms during school days.
What should be taken is a reflection, mainly because of the young age at which children access social networks where we have to take into account various aspects:
As parents, it is our responsibility to explain the proper functioning and supervise their use.
Comply, as far as possible, that the norms of social networks that indicate that up to 14 years of age is not legal to have a profile on these platforms.
Removing children from social networks is also doing it from cyberbullying.
Avoid extremes such as technological dependence or lack of outdoor play.
Really, what do you think? Do social networks make children more unhappy?
In Babies and more | The 15 things you should know about social networks before letting your children use them, can my child denounce me for uploading photographs of him to social networks?
