Teenagers who spend hours glued to social media are likely to experience poorer mental health and a decline in wellbeing, a decade-long study shows, with young girls most at risk.
Social media has transformed young people's lives through instant connection but raised concerns about cyberbullying, harmful algorithms and impacts on health, including reduced sleep and fewer offline activities, the Murdoch Children's Research Institute study published on Friday found.
It comes as a world-first ban for under-16s reaches its six-month mark, with its effectiveness in reducing harm still unclear.
The research found adolescents who used social media for at least two hours a day were at higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms and poor wellbeing, compared to those who used the platforms less than one hour a day.
