One in 10 Adolescents Is a Problematic Social Media User

One out of 10 adolescents is being classified by the World Health Organization as being a problematic social media user. This is according to a 2021/22 survey of around 280,000 11, 13 and 15-year-olds in 44 mainly European countries published in 2024 by the organization. Problematic use was defined as respondents reporting at least six out of nine symptoms on the Social Media Disorder Scale, for example the inability to stop social media use, having no other interests, losing sleep and school performance or household duties suffering. The survey found the highest shares of problematic social media use in Romania (22 percent), Bulgaria (17 percent) and Ireland (15 percent). Problematic social media use rose to 14 percent among 15-year-old girls in the survey.

Additionally, 12 percent of adolescents were classified as at risk of problematic gaming, based on a similar measurement, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. Here, risk was especially high among 11-year-old boys at 17 percent, the same result as for 13-year-old boys. One third of adolescents in the survey reported gaming online every day. A quarter of respondents said they were in near-constant contact with close friends online, this measure rising to 36 percent for constant contact with all types of friends and acquaintances. Here, 37 percent of 15-year-old girls stayed in almost constant contact, compared to 19-20 percent of 11-year-old boys and girls.