Teenagers who experience cyberbullying more likely to have mental health probems

Seán McCárthaigh

Irish teenagers who have negative online experiences like cyberbullying and sexting have an increased risk of having mental health problems, according to the findings of a new study.

The results of research on internet use and the mental health of over 4,500 teenagers in the Republic found significant links between high use of social media and worsening mental health.

Specific aspects of social media use, like cyberbullying and sexting (the sending or receiving of sexually explicit messages), were associated with poorer mental health outcomes in adolescents.

The study found teenagers who spend four hours or more on social media daily are 62 per cent more likely to have a diagnosable mental health condition compared to those who use it for one hour or less.

Researchers from the HSE’s Department of Public Health analysed the results of the 2023 Planet Youth Partner Survey of over 4,500 teenagers, mostly aged 15-16, from Cavan, Monaghan and north Dublin.

They were asked 20 separate questions designed to assess their mental health in relation to emotional problems, conduct problems, peer problems and hyperactivity/inattention problems.

The answers were used to calculate a score with higher scores predictive of an increased likelihood of having a diagnosable mental health condition.

The study found teenage girls were almost twice as likely to have a high score than males, with 43 per cent of girls claiming to have bad or very bad mental health compared to 22 per cent of boys.

Overall, it found significant associations between all aspects of sexting and mental health issues.

Someone asked to share explicit content of themselves were 1.52 times more likely to have poor mental health, while those who had shared such content were 1.71 times more likely to have mental health issues.

The report said the prevalence of sexting was concerning with 33 per cent of all teenagers being asked to send explicit photos of themselves.

It said the fact that 13 per cent had reported actually sending such material was “more worrying.”

The results showed 48 per cent of females and 18% of males had been asked to send sexually explicit content of themselves.

In addition, 15 per cent of females and 11% of males said they had sent sexually explicit content of themselves to someone.

The survey also revealed that one in four girls and one in eight boys claimed someone had shared sexually explicit content of them without their permission.

Almost twice as many girls (21 per cent) reported experiencing bullying online than boys (12 per cent).

The research showed screen use was prevalent among the teenagers with 43 per cent using social media for 2-3 hours per day and 32% for 4 hours or more.

TikTok and Snapchat were the most popular apps used by respondents, followed by Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp.

In relation to other types of screen use, 17% watched shows or movies and 11% played video games for 4 or more hours per day.

Late-night phone use was common with 22 per cent stating they often or “almost always” use their phone between midnight and 6am.

Approximately a quarter of teenagers admit feeling some degree of withdrawal at times when away from the internet.

A similar proportion also claimed they frequently lost motivation to do things they needed to due to the internet.

The authors of the report noted the deterioration of adolescent mental health has coincided with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media by young people.

“Spending several hours per day staring at a smartphone is associated with worse mental health, even if the user is just watching shows or movies on their device,” said one of the report’s co-authors, Fiona Donnelly.

However, Dr Donnelly said heavy social media use is more hazardous “because as well as the displacement of healthy activities, it also exposes the user to a range of potential negative experiences, such as cyberbullying, and sexting.”

The researchers said their findings have significant public health implications while addressing them would require a comprehensive approach that integrates education, prevention, intervention and policy “to create a digital environment that supports the mental health of adolescents and limits their exposure to harm.”

The World Health Organisation has estimated that 13 per cent of teenagers have a diagnosable mental health condition, although many will not be recognised or treated.