Social media

As an organisation one aspect of our service offering is to support vulnerable children and young people with mental health problems.

We were therefore pleased

to note the call by Holyrood’s Public Audit committee for comprehensive research to be commissioned on the impact of social media on children and young people’s mental health, against a rising demand on services.

Mental health referrals for children and young people increased by 22 per cent over the five years to 2017/18, when 33,270 were made. This has included an increase in issues

around emotional distress in young people at school arising from bullying, body image, depression and anxiety.

There are links between unhealthy social media use and poorer mental wellbeing in children and young people, but we need to gain a better understanding of this and the impact on rising numbers.

Education has a vital role to play in helping young people to use social media appropribe

ately, including the pressures that can be associated with its use. It should be noted that many schools in Scotland are doing fantastic work to educate young people on how to use social media more responsibly and how to deal with the multiple demands that are made of them.

Preventative action and early intervention measures have key roles to play in addressing issues around children and young people’s mental health, and research on the impact of social media must play an essential part in this.

LYNN BELL

CEO, LOVE, St James Retail Park,

East Kilbride