Harmful online experiences and platform features may have a more significant impact on the mental health of young people than the mere amount of time spent online.
Today’s youth are growing up in an increasingly digital world where social media and other online technologies are integral to their daily lives. Understanding how these technologies affect mental health and development has become a pressing priority.
A significant study conducted in Australia challenges the traditional assumption that “more time online will inevitably lead to worsening mental health for children and young people.” Instead, researchers found stronger evidence suggesting that existing mental health issues are more predictive of subsequent technology use—particularly social media—rather than the other way around.
The report titled “Digital Technology Experiences of Children and Young People,” released by the National Mental Health Commission on October 1, examined the relationship between technology usage and mental health among Australians aged 5 to 25. The study was spearheaded by researchers from La Trobe University, Deakin University, and the University of Sydney.
The report highlights that children aged 5 to 12 use digital technology for entertainment, gaming, educational content, and communication with known individuals. Adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 25 are more engaged in social media, messaging, artificial intelligence tools, online forums, and algorithmically recommended content.
David McGrath, CEO of the National Mental Health Commission, stated that these findings illuminate the complex relationship between technology use and mental health. He emphasized, “The relationship between digital technology usage and mental health is intricate and cannot be explained by a single factor.”
A one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. More profound insights come from understanding what children and young people do online, which platforms they engage with, what content they view, and how the digital space shapes their experiences.
These findings suggest that discussions and policies need to move beyond merely focusing on screen time and instead concentrate on the content that young people are exposed to and the platforms they use. For instance, encountering hostile interactions, unwanted sexual content, and compulsive engagement on social media correlates with poorer mental health outcomes.
In contrast, positive experiences such as social connection and learning have been found to support mental and emotional well-being.
An analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children indicated that for each additional negative online experience, the risk of developing clinically significant mental health symptoms increases by 1.5 to 2 times. The study also identified connections between algorithmically recommended content, beauty filters, and online gaming with poorer mental health outcomes in children.
McGrath remarked, “Negative online experiences can accumulate over time and may increase the risk of mental health issues arising later on.”
As these findings were released, Australia is approaching the enforcement date for new social media age restrictions set for December 10, 2025. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and X have been instructed to take reasonable measures to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts.
The Albanese government introduced these restrictions to protect young people from harmful content and addictive platform features while providing them with more opportunities to develop social and emotional skills.
Communications Minister Anika Wells previously defended these restrictions, arguing that they would shield children from the intrusions of social media influence. She pointed out, “Targeted algorithms, immersive doomscrolling, persistent notifications, and toxic popularity meters are stealing hours of their attention every day.”
“We are exposing these harmful and addictive features that are being used to target young Australians.”
However, implementing these restrictions has proven challenging. On March 31, the eSafety Commissioner issued warnings to five major platforms—Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube—due to potential compliance issues. The regulatory body expressed concerns over inadequate age verification measures, including allowing children to repeatedly attempt age verification until they receive results indicating they are over 16.
On September 8, Wells confirmed that five investigations are underway regarding potential violations of social media restrictions, and non-compliant companies could face fines of up to AUD 109.2 million.
The commission’s findings indicate that relying solely on access restrictions may not sufficiently address the issue of online harm, stressing that access limitations and content moderation are unlikely to adequately resolve the harms stemming from platform design.
They recommend implementing stricter “safety-by-design” requirements, greater accountability for platforms, and regulation of features that encourage compulsive engagement.
These suggestions align closely with the proposed Digital Duty of Care Bill that the government released on September 8. The draft legislation would require online services to assess and mitigate foreseeable harms, including providing options for users to opt out of algorithmic push notifications.
As society navigates an increasingly digital landscape, addressing these challenges is vital to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of young individuals.