Study into how social media affects young minds

A group of MPS have launched an inquiry into how to tackle the potential negative effects of social media on the mental health of young people.

The all-party Parliamentary group on social media and young people’s mental health and wellbeing says it wants to establish the impact of social media on mental health and how the government and social media giants should respond to any issues uncovered.

The group said it aims to build on a 2017 report by the Royal Society for Public Health, which found that while social media had positive effects it also fuelled feelings of anxiety and depression among the young.

Chris Elmore MP, who chairs the group, said: “It’s vital that we are able to look at the whole picture surrounding this growing issue.”