Do young people like the internet? New UK study has the answer
We're in the era of the digital boom. From sun-up to sun-down, our lives are documented on social media, AIs have become our best friend, and the number of likes, comments, shares, and subscribers has become the marker of our happiness and success.
It won't be an exaggeration to say, 'Our life is nothing but the internet's field day!'
Despite all the mental health hiccups, self-esteem struggles – a large part of the young and young-adult population stay hooked to the internet, at the cost of their own emotional sanity.
But do they really want to?
A recent UK research has shed some light on that million-dollar question.
What does the study say?
According to a new survey, half of 16- to 21-year-olds support 'digital curfew' and nearly 70% feel worse after using social media.
Almost half of young people would prefer to live in a world without the internet.
The research shows that nearly 70% of 16- to 21-year-olds feel worse about themselves after using social media. Half (50%) support a 'digital curfew' that would limit access to certain apps and websites after 10 PM, while 46% would rather be young in a world without the internet altogether.
The study, conducted by the British Standards Institution, surveyed 1,293 young people and found that 27% have shared their location online with strangers.
Three-quarters of respondents said they spent more time online during the pandemic, and 68% felt that their online time hurt their mental health.
A quarter of those surveyed spend four or more hours a day on social media. Additionally, 42% admitted to lying to their parents about their online activities. While online, 42% have lied about their age, 40% have created fake or 'burner' accounts, and 27% have pretended to be someone else.
The reception of the research:
These results of the study come after Technology Secretary (UK) Peter Kyle suggested that the government might make cut-off times mandatory for apps like TikTok and Instagram.
Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC, remarked that while digital curfews can help, they cannot protect children from harmful content unless other measures are also taken. She emphasized that children can still see risks online at other times of the day.
Govender also stressed that companies and the government need to focus on creating safer and less addictive sites for kids.
Excessive internet use can lead to a range of negative effects, impacting physical and mental health, social relationships, and academic or work performance. These effects can range from short-term, like neglecting responsibilities, to long-term, like physical ailments and mental health issues.
Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation, stated that young people recognize the risks online and want action from tech companies to protect them. He noted that algorithms can lead young people to harmful and distressing content quickly. He called for new laws to ensure that regulation prioritizes the safety needs of children and society over the interests of big tech.
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