Page 11 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
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e impact of social media on the children
mental health
Aljaž Bajc, Žiga Tomšič, Jure Kajzar, Andraž Jereb, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Usage of social media among people is increasing due
to the fast evolution of technology and profound changes between
peoples communication. Social media is being used increasingly by
adolescents and children. Social media, beside positive effects can
pose risks for vulnerable population groups, such as children and
adolescents. Methods: A descriptive research method with a critical
review of Slovenian and English professional and scientific literature
was performed, using the CINAHL, Medline, ERIC, Google schoolar,
Cochrane library and the COBIB.SI database. Literature inclusion
criteria were articles published between 2009 and 2019. We included only
professional and scientific articles that analysed children up to the age
of 18. Results: The results have shown the correlation between spending
more time on online social networking and increased chances for self-
harm behaviour, psychological distress and suicidal ideation, anxiety
and mood changes, as well as development of depression. Discussion
and conclusion: Use of social media in childhood and/or in adolescence
can both have, positive or negative effects on future mental well-being.
Health care system should emphasize the development of a safety use
of social media and ensure effective mental health support to those who
need it. There is a lack of evidence regarding this topic present, and
further high-quality research is needed.
Keywords: adolescents, social network, mental disorder, children health
Introduction
The fast evolution of technology is leading to an increase use of internet and so-
cial media among people, from childhood to adults (Bozzola et al., 2018). On-
line social networking and social media (SM) caused profound changes in the
way people communicate and interact, however it is unclear, whether some of
mental health
Aljaž Bajc, Žiga Tomšič, Jure Kajzar, Andraž Jereb, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Usage of social media among people is increasing due
to the fast evolution of technology and profound changes between
peoples communication. Social media is being used increasingly by
adolescents and children. Social media, beside positive effects can
pose risks for vulnerable population groups, such as children and
adolescents. Methods: A descriptive research method with a critical
review of Slovenian and English professional and scientific literature
was performed, using the CINAHL, Medline, ERIC, Google schoolar,
Cochrane library and the COBIB.SI database. Literature inclusion
criteria were articles published between 2009 and 2019. We included only
professional and scientific articles that analysed children up to the age
of 18. Results: The results have shown the correlation between spending
more time on online social networking and increased chances for self-
harm behaviour, psychological distress and suicidal ideation, anxiety
and mood changes, as well as development of depression. Discussion
and conclusion: Use of social media in childhood and/or in adolescence
can both have, positive or negative effects on future mental well-being.
Health care system should emphasize the development of a safety use
of social media and ensure effective mental health support to those who
need it. There is a lack of evidence regarding this topic present, and
further high-quality research is needed.
Keywords: adolescents, social network, mental disorder, children health
Introduction
The fast evolution of technology is leading to an increase use of internet and so-
cial media among people, from childhood to adults (Bozzola et al., 2018). On-
line social networking and social media (SM) caused profound changes in the
way people communicate and interact, however it is unclear, whether some of
