UniSA finds teen social media use has surged 200pc post-Covid
Australian teen social media use has surged but experts say digital devices could actually be key to getting them off the couch again.
Daily social media use among young teens has surged 200 per cent in recent years as they abandon activities like reading and drawing.
But other research suggests digital devices could also play a role in helping them be more active.
Researchers tracked the habits of more than 14,000 11 to 14 year olds and found daily social media use has soared since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In contrast, the number of young people who spend time reading for fun, playing music, drawing, painting or crafting has nosedived.
The findings come just weeks before an Australian ban on under-16s using social media – including platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X – takes effect on December 10.
UniSA Professor Dot Dumuid said when access to social media was restricted “children may shift to alternative platforms like gaming, messaging apps or TV”.
“If we want to support young people’s wellbeing, we need to help them rebalance their time, encouraging them to reconnect with real-world activities,” she said.
Professor Dumuid and her colleague, PhD candidate Mason Zhou, found the proportion of 11 to 14 year olds who used social media every day jumped from one quarter in 2019 to 85 per cent in 2022.
In comparison, just three per cent did not use social media at all in 2022.
When asked about other activities, more than half (53 per cent) said they never read books for fun, up from 11 per cent in 2019.
Almost three-quarters (70 per cent) never took part in arts activities, up from one quarter.
And an overwhelming 85 per cent never participated in music activities outside of school, up from 70 per cent.
Mr Zhou said time spent watching television and playing electronic games also “increased significantly during the same period, but both returned to pre-pandemic levels” in 2022.
Data from the same year showed 80 per cent of children were not meeting national guidelines for at least an hour of physical activity a day, and the same proportion were exceeding the recommended two-hour daily limit for screen time.
But analysis of kids’ behaviours around the world has found that digital devices could actually be part of the solution.
UniSA academics looked at data on 133,000 children and teens and found those using wearable devices, such as smart watches or fitness trackers, using interactive online programs or who downloaded health-focused apps were more active.
Some programs helped children and teens spend 20 to 25 minutes less per day sitting down or using screens.
“Features such as gamification, tailored messaging and machine learning can boost engagement,” lead researcher Dr Ben Singh said.
“Because children and teens have grown up with technology, they’re naturally open to using apps.
“They’re accessible, engaging, and easy to scale, which makes them a great choice for schools and community programs to promote healthier lifestyles.”
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Originally published as UniSA finds teen social media use has surged 200pc post-Covid
