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Youth Problematic Social Media Use and Online Engagement

Approximately 1 in 10 adolescents now exhibits problematic social media behavior (addictive-like), defined by clinical, addiction-like symptoms such as withdrawal and inability to control usage. Differences in problematic SMU were seen across age groups. Prevalence was highest among 13-year-olds (12%) and lowest in 11-year-olds (9%).
The survey covers 44 countries and regions in Europe, central Asia and Canada.

Source: World Health Organization
Topic: Harms and Wellbeing
Reference year: 2022
Geographical scope: World
Method: A large school-based survey (280 000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15)
Unit of measurement: Percent (%)
Link to original document: iris.who.int

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