Govt Warns Social Media Is Harming Children, Yet Studies Cite Benefits Alongside Risks

The studies referenced by officials repeatedly point to a more nuanced reality. While excessive and problematic social media use can harm young people, responsible use can also foster connection, creativity and support. The real challenge is building the digital literacy, mental health services and family guidance needed to help children thrive online and offline alike.

Nevertheless, government officials have increasingly focused on the risks, linking children’s exposure to social media with rising mental health and behavioural challenges. They point to international research associating excessive and problematic use with anxiety, depression, poor sleep, cyberbullying and declining academic performance. Yet the same body of evidence stresses that social media is not inherently harmful and that its effects depend largely on how, why and how often it is used.

The WHO’s 2024 report, Teens, Screens and Mental Health, found that problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022 across Europe, Central Asia and Canada. It reported that adolescents displaying addiction-like behaviours online often experienced lower mental well-being, poorer sleep and greater social difficulties. The report didn’t study Latin American and Caribbean countries. That notwithstanding , the WHO also highlighted that heavy but non-problematic users frequently reported stronger peer support and social connections.

WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge stressed that social media has “both positive and negative consequences” and argued that digital literacy, education and support systems—not simply restrictions—are critical to protecting young people.

However, a closer examination of the studies cited shows that the evidence presents a more nuanced picture than a straightforward link between social media and deteriorating youth mental health.

A June 2025 study published in the United States National Library of Medicine, The Impact of Social Media & Technology on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, found that while excessive social media engagement can contribute to compulsive behaviours, impulsivity, attention deficits and poor self-esteem, digital platforms also provide opportunities for social connection, self-expression and mental health support. Researchers called for a balanced, multidisciplinary response rather than blanket condemnation of digital technology.

The debate becomes even more complicated when Guyana’s social and economic realities are considered.

While concerns about children spending excessive hours online are legitimate, many Guyanese children continue to face challenges that extend far beyond screen time. Poverty, unequal access to educational resources, overcrowded housing, family instability, violence, and limited access to mental health services are long-recognised contributors to childhood stress, anxiety and behavioural difficulties.

International experts consistently note that social media does not affect all children equally. Yale Medicine, in a 2024 review of youth social media use, pointed out that outcomes vary according to a child’s individual vulnerabilities as well as cultural and socio-economic factors. The report emphasized that more research is needed before drawing definitive conclusions about causation.

Indeed, some evidence suggests social media can be particularly valuable for young people who feel isolated or marginalized. According to research cited by Yale, majorities of teenagers surveyed said social media helped them feel accepted, supported during difficult times, connected to friends and able to express their creativity.

The challenge, experts say, is not social media itself but problematic use.

WHO’s report defines problematic social media use as an inability to control online behaviour, withdrawal symptoms when not using platforms, neglect of other activities and experiencing negative consequences in daily life. Importantly, the report does not suggest that all social media use is harmful.

The organisation’s recommendations focus heavily on education and shared responsibility. Among its proposals are embedding digital literacy in schools, improving access to mental health services, encouraging family conversations about online behaviour, training educators and ensuring greater accountability from social media companies.

Yale child psychiatrists offer similar guidance. Rather than surveillance or outright bans, they encourage parents to maintain open communication, establish reasonable boundaries, keep devices out of bedrooms at night and model healthy behaviour themselves.“Follow the rules yourself,” Yale experts advise, noting that parents who expect children to limit screen time must also demonstrate healthy technology habits.

That recommendation raises another important question for policymakers: Are adults leading by example?

Teachers, parents, public officials and employers are increasingly tethered to smartphones and social media throughout the day. The research suggests that campaigns focused primarily on children may overlook the broader societal dependence on digital technology, including the role of parents, educators and public institutions in modelling healthy online behaviour.

WHO itself has warned against framing the issue as merely a youth problem. One of the strongest recommendations in its report is the promotion of open dialogue within families, schools and communities, recognizing that healthy digital habits must be cultivated collectively.

For Guyana, the policy challenge may therefore be less about restricting access and more about equipping children to navigate an increasingly digital world safely.

The evidence cited by government officials does identify real risks. Excessive social media use has been linked to depression, anxiety, cyberbullying, sleep disruption and unhealthy body-image pressures. But the same body of research also identifies important benefits, including connection, peer support, learning opportunities and community building.

As the national consultation continues, the available research indicates that a balanced approach rooted in evidence—not fear—will be essential. Reducing complex youth mental health challenges to social media alone risks obscuring deeper structural issues, including poverty, educational inequality and gaps in mental health services.

 The studies referenced by officials repeatedly point to a more nuanced reality. While excessive and problematic social media use can harm young people, responsible use can also foster connection, creativity and support. The real challenge is building the digital literacy, mental health services and family guidance needed to help children thrive online and offline alike.