Some teenage girls are on their phones for six or more hours a day, a study found. The observational study was carried out across 21 high schools.
Data was supplied from 656 teenage girls, with screenshots providing information of screen time, daily smartphone pickups, type of frequently used app and the time spent on each one. Researchers then used the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to measure possible addition.
Results revealed 36.3% of those observed spent less than three hours a day on social media, while 14% spent more than six. Based on BSMAS scores, 17% of teens showed possible addiction, and more than a third showed signs of potential anxiety disorder.
The study authors said: ‘While some advocate for increased mental health services to tackle the rise in adolescent anxiety, no services will suffice unless the root causes are addressed. Policymakers should strengthen safety standards and urge technology companies to prioritise safety and health in the development of social media.’
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