Overview
- The analysis, published in BMC Medicine, tracked 2,350 pupils from 31 London schools starting in Year 7.
- Using social media for more than three hours a day at ages 11–12 was associated with more anxiety and depression symptoms by ages 13–15.
- Reduced sleep and later bedtimes on school nights accounted for much of the link, according to the authors.
- The researchers describe the relationship as complex and do not claim a direct causal effect or back an under-16s ban.
- The team recommends school-based digital literacy and sleep education and calls for up-to-date studies as the UK consults on new child online protections.