Screen time limits not enough to tackle problematic social media use: experts

World experts, including those from Canada, argue that the excessive use of digital technology by children and youth is a public health concern requiring urgent action. In a series of Lancet papers, responsibility for safeguarding young people from problematic social media use should shift from individuals to tech companies and governments.

Co-author Jay Shaw, from the University of Toronto, emphasizes that individual choices and screen-time limits are insufficient to address the "digital determinants of health" in today's environment. He also points out that tech companies design their platforms to keep users engaged and collect data for advertising purposes. The addictive nature of social media, driven by targeted algorithms and AI chatbots, can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, and reduced physical activity.

Despite some health benefits, the review of 2,790 studies found that the harms outweigh the benefits. Big tech companies often dismiss mental health concerns due to a lack of causal evidence, but the authors argue that precautionary public health action is justified due to the scale of digital media's presence and varying vulnerability among individuals.

Australia has already implemented regulations limiting social media access for those over 16, and Canada is considering similar measures, such as Bill C-34 and Bill C-36, which have been deemed adequate if passed into law. These policies would create a Digital Safety Commission to oversee tech companies and restrict young people under 16 from using social media platforms.

However, exemptions exist for companies with adequate safety measures. The Lancet series also includes the perspectives of six young adults who recognize the positive aspects of social media while acknowledging its darker side, including loneliness and anxiety. Dr. Michael Cheng, a psychiatrist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, supports the proposed legislation, emphasizing the need for a balance between the positive and negative aspects of digital media use.