THE rising use of social media has been linked to an increase in emotional and mental health problems among young people in Scotland.

Teenage girls, in particular, are reporting more anxiety, confidence issues and unhappiness.

More than 25,000 pupils aged 13 or 15 took part in the Scottish Government’s report into mental health among adolescent school pupils, revealing a worrying decline in wellbeing.

The findings reinforce the need for more young people to access the help and support they need says SAMH – the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Scotland’s largest mental health charity is urging people to join their Going To Be Campaign for better awareness. More than 6000 young people were on a waiting list to be assessed for CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – last quarter and eating disorders, anxiety and selfharm are just three commonplace mental health issues.

“We know that a positive impact of social media is social connectedness and the sense of interaction. But we also know there are risks, such as cyber bullying and an impact on mental health, as well as things like missing out on sleep,” said Dr Jo Inchley, from the University of St Andrews.

She is the lead author of a report for the World Health Organisation (WHO) that points to the dramatic rise in the use of computers and social media wreaking havoc on young people’s health.

“The decline in girls’ mental health is happening in parallel to the rapid rise of digital media,” she added.

“We need to protect young people from the more negative effects associated with social media use.”

The addictive, compulsive nature of social media is just one of the risks, says counsellor and psychotherapist Katerina Georgiou.

She said: “One of the biggest issues I’ve seen in young people is around the risk of keeping safe online. Young people are seeing harrowing images and material at the click of a button and it has terrible effects on their emotional health.

“They have access to content they would never otherwise see and pornographic images that could impact their ideas around sex and feelings around their own sexuality.

“Then there is the question of image. Life was hard enough at school when we didn’t have social media – pressure to keep up with the latest trends and being ‘cool’ has always been around. But when you add social media, it is like holding up a magnifying glass to that specific issue. Young people are perpetually exposed to that pressure with social media.

“This will only highlight feelings of inadequacy in a person already feeling inadequate.

“If young people don’t feel they are living up to the great lifestyle that others are posting on social media, they can feel inadequate, sad, maybe even angry, resentful, jealous or envious. None of these emotions are particularly positive or constructive, and can they can feed into reactive behaviour.”

Three children in every class will have experienced mental health problems by the time they’re 16 but SAMH are working to bring about change and ensure everyone can access the help and support they need.

The mental health charity is urging young people get in touch and to share their experiences, advice and suggestions.

Case Study

Chelsea Rocks, 20, says many of her anxiety issues and an eating disorder were magnified by her use of social media.

When she was 16, her confidence plummeted after a relationship ended and her former boyfriend then embarrassed her on social media.

Chelsea developed an eating disorder, losing a dramatic amount of weight, which ultimately resulted in suspected kidney failure.

“When you are that age, you want to look like the people you see in the media,” she says.

Chelsea now helps other teens with anxiety issues

“You are under a lot of pressure and stress with exams and then the need to compete with everyone else on social media.

“I struggled to find moderation in my diet and exercise, although I wasn’t overweight by anyone’s standards.

“If you are feeling unfit and selfconscious, many social media accounts can make you feel even worse.”

Due to graduate from university later this year, Chelsea also supports other young people with eating disorders.

She adds: “Now I only follow social media accounts for inspiration and advice and, when I see unrealistic image, I question them.”

This article was brought to you in association with SAMH. Please join the campaign at samh.org.uk/goingtobe.