The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Well‐Being Among Young Australians

2025/02/02 by Andrew Leigh, Stephen Robson · 2 voices · 9 citations
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Blame #COVID-19 and Mental Health #Gerontology #Harm #Health disparities and outcomes #Impact of Technology on Adolescents #Medicine #Mental health #Political science #Psychiatry #Psychology #Social media #Social psychology

paper · doi:10.1111/1467-8462.12584

published in Australian Economic Review 58(1), 33-38 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2025/02/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using multiple sources, we document a substantial worsening in the mental well‐being of Australians aged 15–24 years, as measured by surveys, self‐harm hospitalisations and suicide deaths. The shift began around 2007–2010 and is worse for young women than for young men. Although several factors could be to blame, we present six pieces of evidence suggesting that smartphones and social media may have played a causal role in damaging the mental health of young Australians.

Citations

• No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression

Cited by

• Wellbeing of the Young in Africa

Discussions

• Australian Economic Review Volume 58, Issue 1 p. 33-38 ARTICLE The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Well-Being Among Young Australians Andrew Leigh, Stephen Robson First published: 02 Feb [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
• Maybe they treat it as controversial bc the move is backed up by solid empirical evidence doi.org/10.1111/1467... [bsky, 1 points, 1 comments]

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