The shocking toll of our smartphone generation
L1 in 3 has 6 hours a day of screen time l1 in 5 admits they sleep for less than that
THE horrific impact of smartphones on Scotland’s schoolchildren has been laid bare for the first time in a new report.
A disturbing picture has emerged of the early teenage years – as growing numbers of youngsters struggle to sleep at night, choose social media over sport and experience low self-esteem and bullying.
Almost a third of 11 to 15-year-olds spend more than six hours per day on a screen for ‘leisure’ during the school week – with a significant number so addicted they are classed as having a ‘social media disorder’.
Many admit to sleeping for considerably less time than they spend on their smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Experts last night voiced concern the next generation’s physical and mental health and their ability to interact face-to-face could be ‘permanently scarred’.
The figures emerged following a health and wellbeing survey issued to all S1 to S4 pupils in Glasgow.
More than 7,500 pupils completed the questionnaire on topics including family and social life, diet and exercise, physical and emotional
‘Low self-esteem among the young is a concern’
health, drug and alcohol use and online habits.
The results, published by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, give a rare insight into the lives of teenagers.
A third revealed they spend more than six hours a day during the week using a smartphone, tablet computer or games console for ‘leisure’. At the weekend, the figure nears 50 per cent.
A total of 37 per cent admit to ‘struggling’ to cut their time on social media and more than one in ten admits neglecting all other hobbies in favour of social media.
Seven per cent have a ‘social media disorder’ – a ‘behavioural addiction’, associated with depression, loneliness, narcissism, low self-esteem, poor sleep quality and low academic performance.
Meanwhile, only 24 per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds get the NHS recommended nine hours of sleep each night, down from 34 per cent five years ago.
One in five admits to getting less than six hours sleep and 15 per cent sleep for only three to five hours.
The responses also show young people’s mental health is in decline, particularly among girls. One in ten has a diagnosed mental health condition and 20 per cent have sought help for anxiety.
Two-thirds are unhappy with the way they look and 30 per cent have been bullied in the past year.
National guidelines state five to 18-year-olds should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Only 12 per cent do so and 5 per cent never exercise. Only 62 per cent have used a sports centre in the past year and 20 per cent never visit parks or outdoor spaces.
Jean Miller, head of inclusion and equalities, Glasgow Education Services, said the data was important for building ‘recovery, resilience and reconnection for young people’ following the pandemic.
She added: ‘This information will give us an insight into our young people’s lives – and how their lives may be changing.
Dr Helen Smith, chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health faculty, said: ‘Social media can be a positive force in children and young people’s lives but also a negative one.
‘It means bullying can be 24 hours a day and young people can easily access unhelpful content such as content promoting eating disorders and self-harming behaviours.
‘The fact so many young people have low self-esteem is of concern and social media can have an impact on this. Social media and use of mobile phones late at night can affect sleep. It is best to disconnect from digital items at least an hour before bed.’
She added: ‘Exercise is a good way to manage stress and vital for physical health, which impacts on mental health.’
Dr Stuart Waiton, senior sociology lecturer at the University of Abertay, said: ‘Young people live in a bubble existence and don’t know how to deal with the rough and tumble of life. We must find ways to get them out into the world.’
Jo Bissett, spokesman for parents campaign group Us For Them Scotland, said: ‘The fact so many young people spend more time on screens each day than sleeping is deeply concerning.
‘Technology can be a wonderful thing but it is having too many profound impacts on young people physically and mentally.’