A UK study reveals teenage girls are twice as likely as boys to suffer mental health issues due to social media, highlighting rising concerns over online habits.
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| UK research reveals 1 in 5 teen girls report distress from social media, twice the rate of boys, with links to anxiety, cyberbullying, and attention issues. Image: CH |
Cardiff, UK — May 14, 2025:
A groundbreaking study from the United Kingdom has found that teenage girls are twice as likely as boys to experience mental health issues linked to social media use. Conducted by Public Health Wales (PHW) and Cardiff University, the research surveyed nearly 130,000 students aged 11 to 16—making it one of the most comprehensive explorations of adolescent wellbeing in the digital age.
According to the study, 21% of girls in tenth grade (aged 14–15) and 20.5% in ninth grade (aged 13–14) reported experiencing harmful effects such as family conflict, attention deficit symptoms, and excessive screen time due to social media. In contrast, only about 10% of boys in the same age groups reported similar issues.
“Sometimes I pick up my phone just to pass the time,” said 13-year-old Lois, a participant in the study. “But I don’t realize when two hours have passed. It scares me sometimes.”
Health experts note that girls are more vulnerable to these effects due to more frequent late-night device use and higher exposure to cyberbullying. Emily van de Venter, a senior health promotion consultant at PHW, stressed the impact: “While social media does offer connection and entertainment, it also clearly contributes to rising anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem in teenagers—especially girls.”
Van de Venter recommended practical strategies for families, such as turning off notifications at night, keeping phones out of bedrooms, and avoiding social media use before bed.
The data also revealed that many teens spend time online at the expense of physical activity and hobbies—habits that may deepen feelings of isolation and stress.
Experts now call for a societal response, urging parents, educators, and policymakers to promote healthier digital habits and greater awareness of the risks. “We must teach balance in technology use,” the study concluded. “Without it, the silent toll on young minds will only grow.”