The association between adolescents’ online behaviours and mental health and loneliness

Time spent online and on social media has risen rapidly amongst adolescents over the last decade. Over the same period of time, rates of suicide, non-suicidal self-harm, and common mental disorders have increased, particularly amongst females. Digital technologies have been linked to several positive outcomes, including peer and professional online support and social connection. However, research also indicates that some online behaviour, including exposure to harmful content, and excessive time spent online, may be linked to depression, suicide, and self-harm, particularly among girls and marginalised groups. Findings from several studies suggest that social media use may be associated with poorer mental health in adolescents. For example, data from the Millennium Cohort Study suggests that a greater amount of time spent on social media on a weekday is associated with an increased risk of self-harm for adolescent females, alongside increased depressive symptoms, and poor self-esteem. Similarly, research indicates that greater time spent on social networking websites can lead to higher psychological distress. Relatedly, young people may be exposed to harmful content while spending time online. Using the OxWell 2021 secondary school data, the overarching aim of this paper is to examine the association between adolescent online behaviours and mental health and loneliness.

过去十年间，青少年在线及社交媒体的使用时间急剧增加。在同一时期，自杀、非自杀性自伤及常见精神障碍的发病率亦有所上升，尤其是在女性群体中。数字技术已被证实与多种积极成果相关联，包括同龄人及专业人士在线支持和社交联系。然而，研究亦表明，某些在线行为，包括接触有害内容以及过度在线时间，可能与抑郁、自杀及自伤有关，尤其是在女孩和边缘化群体中。多项研究的结果表明，社交媒体的使用可能与青少年较差的心理健康相关。例如，千年队列研究的数据表明，在工作日花费更多时间在社交媒体上与青少年女性自伤风险增加相关，同时伴随抑郁症状的加剧和自尊心的下降。同样，研究还指出，在社交网站上花费更多时间可能导致心理压力加剧。相关研究还表明，年轻人在在线时间可能会接触到有害内容。本研究旨在利用 OxWell 2021 中学数据，探讨青少年在线行为与心理健康及孤独感之间的关联。