We are excited to announce the launch of Digital Wellbeing 2022, our second bi-yearly study to learn about the impact that social media use has on 16- to 24-year-old users.
The Digital Wellbeing 2022 Report asked 1000 participants aged 16-24 across the UK a series of questions relating to the way that their social media use affects them. Important topics such as mental health, body image, social comparisons, negative news consumption, social media addiction, and many more were explored as part of the research project.
I feel so lucky that I'm able to be myself and express how I feel and who I am on social media, it's amazing to be able to see so many different people from across the world, to connect with them and share experiences. Most of the time it is an incredible experience, but now and then it can get tough online. It is important to get some extra help if you ever find yourself struggling because your mental health and wellbeing is super important. Talk to your friends or family about how you are feeling or reach out to the incredible team at Cybersmile for help.
Holly H, Cybersmile Ambassador
Findings from Digital Wellbeing 2022 will be utilized to ensure that we continue providing the most useful and effective advice, education, and support services possible.
Our Digital Wellbeing 2022 report offers significant new insights into how social media use is impacting the daily lives of an entire generation. With evolving technology and increased platform retention times, Gen Z users are being impacted to an extent beyond anything we have previously discovered. These findings offer Cybersmile valuable insights into the digital wellbeing of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK and will play a key role in helping us to tailor our support resources, develop new educational materials, and create effective awareness campaigns.
Dan Raisbeck, Co-founder, The Cybersmile Foundation
Our commitment to learning more about the relationship between Gen Z and social media has been supported by advisory panel member Dr. Barbara Mariposa, a medical doctor with a background in psychiatry and public health, whose books include The Mindfulness Playbook, The Kindness Habit, and Leading with Presence.
The findings of Digital Wellbeing 2022 are stark. They underline the vital importance of education from an early age in the safe and respectful use of social media. Social media's edited versions of reality offer perfect bodies and perfect worlds, which nearly 9 in 10 participants in the study reported had a negative impact on how they feel about themselves, their bodies and their lives. Young people are rightly concerned about addiction and increased anxiety, the amount of time taken away from studying, and the detrimental effect of this time on the basics of good self-care, such as exercise and nutrition. Cybersmile's Digital Wellbeing 2022 report highlights the very real damage unbalanced usage of social media platforms can do.
Dr. Barbara Mariposa, Wellness & Equity Advisor, Cybersmile Advisory Panel
Digital Wellbeing 2022 was undertaken to better understand Gen Z's relationship with social media and how it affects the way they feel about their bodies, lives, and personal wellbeing.
It can sometimes be hard for us to understand the difference between the real world and the digital world, as we can often become engrossed in a pixelated reality. The way we look after our own wellbeing, learn how to use the internet productively and communicate through it is key. Education should be introduced at an early age to encourage balance and knowledge as well as looking out for red flags and knowing what to do! I encourage my followers to be aware of their personal wellbeing when using social media and that my young and parent followers practice this through family activities that can be done in a fun and safe way - encouraging meaningful social and digital interactions while building trust. Your digital wellbeing is so important!
Amazing Arabella, Gen Z Influencer
The study was conducted by Censuswide on our behalf between 16.05.2022 and 24.05.2022 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The regional data offers interesting insights and comparisons for major cities across the UK, including Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield, and Southampton.
Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles, and are members of The British Polling Council.
Key findings from Digital Wellbeing 2022
- 46% say that social media makes them want to permanently change a part of their body through surgery.
- 87% say that content on social media makes them feel pressured to be perfect.
- 85% say that social media negatively affects the way they feel about their own bodies.
- 89% say that social media negatively affects their mental health.
- 77% say that social media negatively affects their physical health.
- 89% feel unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.
- 86% say that social media use makes them feel anxious.
- 32% feel addicted to bad news online.
- 33% don't feel safe to share their opinions and views online.
- 44% are worried they have an addiction to social media.
- 52% feel better when they spend less time on social media.
- 51% say that their sleep is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 32% say that their diet is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 32% say that their exercise is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 40% say that their study is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
The data revealed in our latest study demonstrates the impact that spending time online is having on Gen Z's overall wellbeing in areas including mental health, physical fitness, and diet, among others.