Pioneering Study Aims to Uncover the Impact of Social Media on Children’s Mental and Physical Health

University of Bath Researchers Collaborate to Study the Effects of Technology on Children’s Health

Researchers from the University of Bath will join a government-commissioned project led by the University of Cambridge and other prominent UK universities, to study the impact of smartphone and social media use on children, aiming to improve policymakers' understanding of its effects on children's well-being including social media and messaging.

A 2019 review by the UK Chief Medical Officer found insufficient evidence linking children’s mental health and smartphone use to inform policy. Professors Adam Joinson and David Ellis from the University of Bath’s Institute for Digital Security and Behaviours will lead the research. Professor Ellis noted that new technologies are reshaping research and daily life, and he expressed enthusiasm about contributing to evidence-based policy on social media and smartphone impacts.

He explained that while some countries plan to limit or ban social media for those under 16, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of these measures. He emphasized that their goal is to review the evidence carefully to ensure UK government decisions are based on the best available research. Dr Amy Orben, project lead at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, acknowledged concerns about the impact of smartphone use on children’s health but noted that evidence remains limited. She emphasized that government decisions would be more informed and effective if based on improved evidence.

He acknowledged that smartphone use is a complex, rapidly evolving issue with both potential harms and benefits. She emphasized the need for scientific evidence to evolve with advancing technology and stated that their focus would be on understanding the causal effects of new technologies, especially over short timescales, to ensure informed, timely, and evidence-based decisions. The Project Delivery Team, including members from universities like Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, York, and the London School of Economics, aims to identify the most effective research methods and data sources for exploring causal links between social media, smartphones, and the health and development of children and young people.

The researchers will review existing studies on the impact of smartphones and social media on children and young people's mental health, well-being, physical health, lifestyle, health behaviours, and educational attainment. The review will recognize diverse perspectives and highlight areas where further research can strengthen the evidence base. The team will evaluate methods and data to understand the causal impacts of smartphone and social media use, considering the rapid evolution of online habits and emerging technologies. They will also include the experiences of vulnerable children, such as LGBTQ+ youth and those with special needs or mental health issues, in future research. This approach will help the team recommend how future studies can provide robust causal evidence on the impact of smartphones and social media on child development over the next two to three years.

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, stated that the online world offers valuable opportunities for young people to connect and learn. He emphasized that ensuring their safety is a priority, guiding the government's online safety actions. Kyle added that the government has launched new research, led by the University of Cambridge with support from top UK universities, to better understand the relationship between technology and young people’s wellbeing. The research aims to provide robust, evidence-based insights to guide future policies and ensure the wellbeing of young people in the digital age.

Editor's Note: 

Researchers from the University of Bath are joining a pioneering project, led by the University of Cambridge and other leading UK universities, to examine the impact of smartphone and social media use on children's well-being. The initiative aims to provide policymakers with evidence-based insights into how these technologies affect children's mental and physical health, lifestyle, and educational outcomes. The project will incorporate diverse perspectives, particularly from vulnerable children, and focus on understanding the causal effects of emerging technologies. With the expertise of professors like Adam Joinson and David Ellis, this research is poised to influence informed, effective government policies that protect young people's well-being in the digital age. 

Skoobuzz hopes that this research will play a key role in shaping the future of digital safety for children.