(MARIE CLAIRE) -- You’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who isn’t on social media nowadays, as everyone from your little brother to your nan at least has a Facebook account. Hooking into the internet is just a way of life now, however according to new research it could be to the detriment of young people as the worst social media apps for mental health have been named.
The Royal Society for Public Health’s #statusofmind campaign surveyed young Britons about the effects of social media on their wellbeing. Over 1,400 14-24 year olds were interviewed and the results were a little dark, as the study concluded that social media was ‘more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol’ and correlated with Britain’s 70% increase in young people with anxiety/depression over 25 years.
Instagram and Snapchat were officially the worst culprits. The primarily visual platforms were shown to most negatively affect perceptions of body image (9/10 women admitted they were unhappy with their body) as well as anxiety and sleep deprivation. FOMO, or the fear of missing out, was also a factor in the study and young people admitted that both platforms also contributed to their anxiety about being excluded from popular social events.
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