Experts call for global action on digital media health risks to youth

Current digital technologies create real health risks alongside genuine benefits worldwide, Medical Xpress reported. A team of 13 global experts published a three-paper series in The Lancet outlining these concerns. The authors urged immediate global policy action to protect the online safety and health of children and young people. [1]

The experts argued that the way digital technologies are built and governed requires coordinated, global management. They warned that without better governance, the negative health impacts on youth will persist. [1]

Researchers in psychology, medicine, sociology, and anthropology have examined the link between digital media use and mental health since the mid-1990s. Studies have explored problematic patterns such as digital dependencies while also recognizing that moderate use can offer access to online support communities. [2]

The overall impact of digital media on mental health remains complex and varies across cultures, societies, and individuals. The experts in The Lancet now advocate making the online protection of young people an urgent priority for international policymakers. [1][2]