Title: Social media is harming the mental health of teenagers. The state has to act | Mental health | The Guardian
Headings: Social media is harming the mental health of teenagers. The state has to act
Social media is harming the mental health of teenagers. The state has to act
June Eric Udorie
The pressure to be perfect and always ‘on’ is overwhelming many of us, as studies show, but the government will not step in. Statutory PSHE lessons would be a start
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Teens are so emotionally invested in social media that a fifth will wake up at night and log on

Content: We know this. We know the perils of the internet, we’ve heard about online bullying and the dangers of Ask.fm, we know the slut-shaming that goes on in our schools. We know these things. We know that these studies demonstrate that we have to make personal, social and health education (PSHE) statutory in schools and ensure it covers a range of issues from healthy eating and sleeping to consent. And yet, Nicky Morgan and the government refuse to act. So I ask: what are we waiting for? Inaction on these issues is harming the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people in this country. What has to happen before we do something? Topics
Mental health
Opinion
Young people
Health
Social media
Digital media
Schools
Education policy
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