In recent years, the mental health of young Australians has been a growing concern, with new research suggesting a significant decline.
According to a study by the e61 Institute, the average self-reported mental health scores of young Australians, particularly those aged 15 to 24, have notably decreased over the past decade.
This trend coincides with the launch and rapid growth of social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat in the 2010s.
The study highlights a striking disparity in the impact on young females and males. Between 2011 and 2022, the self-reported mental health scores for young females declined by 11 per cent, dropping from 73 per cent to 62 per cent.
In comparison, the mental health scores for young males decreased by 7 per cent, from 74.5 per cent to 67.5 per cent. These figures underscore a worrying trend that has implications for the overall well-being of the younger population in Australia.
Several factors contribute to this decline, with social media being a significant one. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, which have become integral parts of daily life for many young people, often promote unrealistic standards and a constant need for validation.
According to e61 Research director Gianni La Cava, the study examined the relationship between mental health and the emergence of Instagram in 2010 and Snapchat in 2011.
“Our research indicates that youth mental health remained stable initially but began to decline significantly after 2012, aligning with the rise in popularity of photo and video-sharing social media platforms,” Dr. La Cava explained.
“Although further data and research are necessary to definitively assert that social media is responsible for the declining mental health among young Australians, the concurrent timing of this decline strongly suggests a correlation.”
Dr. La Cava noted that young women who engage with social media are prone to experiencing a decrease in their overall mental well-being.
“Our findings indicate that young women born since the late 1990s (Generation Z), who are the most frequent users of social media, exhibit significantly lower mental health scores compared to older women and all men,” he highlighted.
“This observation aligns with existing data demonstrating higher prevalence of mental health disorders among these young women, an increased demand for mental health support services, and rising rates of hospitalizations related to mental health issues.”
