\n<\/p>\n
The panel said adolescence is a critical developmental period during which young people are more sensitive to social feedback and influences while still developing emotionally and cognitively.<\/p>\n
This may leave them less equipped to manage the online social pressures, critically evaluate online content, or recognise manipulative platform design, it said.<\/p>\n
As mental health conditions often emerge during adolescence, the negative effects of social media use could have lasting consequences.<\/p>\n
The panel also distinguished between excessive and problematic social media use, saying problematic use – characterised by persistent, compulsive or addiction-like behaviour – is more consistently associated with poorer well-being than time spent on social media alone.<\/p>\n
In Singapore, one in three young people aged 15 to 17 spent more than three hours on social media daily, while one in six aged 10 to 24 showed signs of problematic social media use.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“These figures suggest that a significant proportion of young Singaporeans are engaging with social media in ways that may place their mental health at risk,” said MOH.<\/p>\n
The panel noted research findings that show that excessive or problematic social media use can result in issues like anxiety, depression, lower life satisfaction and well-being, body image concerns and problematic eating behaviours.<\/p>\n
“Problematic social media use and poor mental health may be mutually reinforcing, with each worsening over time,” it said.<\/p>\n
Young people experiencing anxiety or depression may turn to social media for comfort or connection.<\/p>\n
Instead, problematic social media use may deepen over time and displace healthier forms of support and regulation, creating a vicious cycle.<\/p>\n
“Heavy social media use can also disrupt sleep, affecting emotional regulation and mental health,” the panel said.<\/p>\n
“Beyond clinical symptoms, problematic social media use has been consistently associated with lower life satisfaction and lower levels of mental well-being, with the negative effects on life satisfaction found to be strongest during early adolescence.”<\/p>\n
Frequent exposure to the idealised portrayals of lifestyles and appearances that are common on social media may encourage comparison, contributing to body image concerns, depressive symptoms and problematic eating behaviours among some young users.<\/p>\n
Besides targeting harmful platform features, the panel recommended strengthening age assurance measures to more accurately identify users’ ages.<\/p>\n
The government should also empower young people to navigate the online environment in safe and healthy ways, and support their parents in guiding them to do so, said the panel.<\/p>\n
The panel further recommended a whole-of-society approach involving families, schools, healthcare providers, community partners, platform operators and the government to better safeguard young people’s well-being online.<\/p>\n
MOH said the panel’s findings and recommendations would help inform ongoing efforts to strengthen support for young people’s mental health and promote safer digital experiences for young people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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