Recently, MQ launched a new report at the PWC offices, which examines the impact of internet use on the mental health of children and young people.
This report, which was produced in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the Harvard Institute of Digital Psychiatry and researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute, is a comprehensive review of existing research on the effects of gaming, online use social and other uses of the Internet in mental health.
The report found that it is not so much the amount of time young people spend online that determines their mental health outcomes, but the experiences they have online.
Additionally, the report found that a key consideration for parents is to look at what is replacing online time. For example, if spending time on social media replaces sleep or spending time socializing face-to-face, that can have negative effects on mental health. But if it is replacing reflection time or providing social contact to an otherwise isolated child, then it can have positive effects.
The report makes a number of recommendations, such as encouraging technology companies to build safeguards into their platforms to prevent children from becoming addicted to social media and gambling and protect them from viewing harmful content.
These findings were discussed by the panel at the launch event, made up of researchers, charity representatives and people with lived experience.
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