Social media warning labels and school mobile phone bans: do they improve young people’s mental health?

In New Zealand, approximately 21% of children aged 10-19 have a mental illness, a statistic that has increased significantly over the past decade, UNICEF NZ reports. Could this be linked to an increase in mental illness? Social media? And you can Technical Restrictions Would a warning make any difference? conversation I will investigate.

This week, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for a health warning for young people who use social media. This latest call follows previous recommendations from the Surgeon General regarding social media and young people’s mental health.

Health warnings on social media, similar to those found on cigarette packaging, serve to remind parents and young people of the mental health risks of social media, and the Surgeon General has called for schools to become cell phone-free environments. Murthy acknowledged in his editorial that the research on these topics is still inconclusive, but noted that “we cannot afford to wait for perfect information.”

Concerns about the impact of smartphone use and social media on the mental health of children and adolescents are by no means new. However, concerns have been rekindled as new restrictions to limit smartphone use have been proposed and implemented. Smartphone bans or restrictions have been implemented in countries around the world, but how these restrictions work in practice varies. Several Canadian provinces have also implemented similar restrictions.

While these efforts are well-intentioned and aimed at helping young people, the research supporting these practices has yet to be established. As researchers in child development and psychology, we feel it is imperative to review the relevant research and debate the merits and demerits of smartphone bans and social media health warnings.

The influence of smartphones and social media

Our research shows that more screen time is associated with negative physical, behavioral and cognitive outcomes. One reason screen time is problematic is because it interferes with other activities related to well-being, such as physical activity, interactions with family and friends, and schoolwork.

Some studies have shown that social media use is associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents, but not all. Social approval and the pressure to get likes and followers can increase stress and anxiety in young people. Additionally, social media can lead to cyberbullying and negative social interactions, which can lead to poor mental health.

Adolescent social media use has also been linked to body image issues, especially among girls, as social media presents filtered and unrealistic standards of beauty that can lead to dissatisfaction with one’s own body.

It is important to note that these studies look at correlations and do not imply evidence of causation.

In terms of smartphones’ impact on attention, smartphone use can distract young people. For example, studies have shown that after being distracted by their smartphones, it can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus.

The pros and cons of banning cell phones

Banning smartphones in the classroom is likely to lead to reduced concentration, especially for young people who are struggling at school. Without the need to police smartphone use, teachers could focus their classrooms more on academic learning.

Smartphone bans may also help protect young people from cyberbullying that may occur during the school day. However, a smartphone ban in school will not eliminate cyberbullying that may occur after school hours, so it remains important to educate students, parents and teachers about recognizing, preventing and responding to cyberbullying.

In contrast, banning smartphones at school could have negative effects on some young people. LGBTQ+ young people, for example, use social media to form communities where they can receive support, share information, and nurture their identities. Limiting their access to spaces where they feel safe and belong could exacerbate their mental health issues.

Are social media health warnings the solution?

The effectiveness of warning labels depends on the format they are in. Research has shown that warning labels that promote safe use are more effective.

For social media, this means improving social media literacy: for example, warning labels can remind users that what they see on social media doesn’t always reflect real life. This reminder can potentially reduce the negative effects of online social comparison.

Social media warning labels hold media platforms even more accountable. Platforms create and design features to benefit from user engagement and maximize usage. Warning labels highlight the potential risks of excessive use and help users be more aware of how these platforms benefit from their usage.

While social media labels may not directly deter young users from heavy consumption, they may indirectly discourage them by increasing parental monitoring: Indeed, parents may be more likely to impose limits when they see evidence that the products their children and adolescents are using carry some risk.

In contrast, warning labels that focus on discouraging or stopping social media use may be less effective. Warning labels may instill a negative self-concept in users: “I know I shouldn’t use social media, but I can’t stop because I lack self-control.” This is not a good starting point for encouraging change.

Other factors that contribute to mental health and learning problems in young people

Given the lack of causal evidence about the impact of social media on mental health issues, it is important to remember that banning smartphone use in classrooms is not a panacea.

Importantly, it does not address many of the mental health issues facing young people, including cyberbullying.

“Social media is one of the reasons and contributing factors for the high rates of mental health problems currently facing young people. Other contributing factors include structural discrimination, economic hardship, and social isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing solely on social media will not solve the mental health challenges young people currently face.”

Therefore, comprehensive efforts such as increasing school funding for mental health literacy and digital health literacy, along with strengthening the availability of extracurricular activities, could be an effective way to support young people.

It is encouraging to see policymakers paying more attention to young people’s mental health and its causes, but it is important to act at multiple levels to support young people’s mental health and learning.