The effects of use of screens and social media on young people

Screens and social media have become an integral part of the lives of children and adolescents. However, excessive use can be harmful to both physical and mental health.

To address this societal challenge, the Superior Health Council (SHC) is proposing recommendations that reduce the risks of screen and social media use while preserving the potential benefits of digital technologies for children and adolescents.

The SHC advocates an integrated approach focusing on:

• Prevention and education: promoting access to offline activities, strengthening media literacy and socio-emotional skills, training and supporting parents and education and healthcare professionals
• Support and detection: reinforcing prevention and support services, integrating an assessment of screen exposure into health check-ups
• Regulation: ensuring platform accountability through algorithmic transparency, “safety by design” principles and stronger content oversight
• Research and governance: establishing an independent audit centre