Feeling Depressed? Stay Off Instagram and Watch YouTube Instead.A new study reveals that YouTube is the 'most positive' social media site for young people, while Instagram and Snapchat are 'the most detrimental' to their mental health.

ByAngela Moscaritolo

这个故事或iginally appeared onPCMag

Shutterstock

Do you scroll through your Instagram feed feeling like you'll never be as attractive and talented as other people? You're not alone.

A newstudy公共卫生在伦敦皇家学会的and its Young Health Movement reveals that Instagram is the "most detrimental" social media platform for young people's mental health and wellbeing. In February, the organization surveyed nearly 1,500 young people between the ages of 14 and 24, asking them to score how each of the five most popular social media platforms impact their feelings of depression, loneliness, anxiety, their sleep, body image, real-world relationships, ability to express their feelings, define who they are and more.

YouTube was the only platform out of the five that had a "net positive" impact on teens' wellbeing. Twitter came in second, followed by Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.

"Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol, and is now so entrenched in the lives of young people that it is no longer possible to ignore it when talking about young people's mental health issues," RSPH Chief Executive Shirley Cramer said in a statement. "It's interesting to see Instagram and Snapchat ranking as the worst for mental health and wellbeing -- both platforms are very image-focused and it appears they may be driving feelings of inadequacy and anxiety in young people."

The RSPH is now calling for social media companies to introduce "heavy usage" warnings on their platforms, encouraging users to take a break after a certain period of time. The organization also wants social media platforms to highlight when photos of people have been "digitally manipulated," and identify users who could be suffering from mental health problems, based on their posts and discreetly offer them support. RSPH also called on schools to start teaching their students about safe social media use.

The RSPH's report largely corroborates a separate study released in March by the University of Pittsburgh, which found that the more time young adults spend on social media, themore likely they are to feel isolated.

In March,Facebookintegratedits suicide-prevention tools into Live, so if you're watching a broadcast and someone expresses suicidal thoughts, you can report the video and get the person help. Last year, itexpandedits suicide-prevention tools to all languages supported by Facebook.

Angela Moscaritolo has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Meta Is Paying the Celebrity Faces Behind Its AI Chatbots as Much as $5 Million for 6 Hours of Work, Report Says

One unnamed top creator was paid $5 million for six hours of work, according to The Information.

Business News

Watch: London Airport Parking Garage Erupts in Flames Leaving Thousands of Passengers Stranded, Delayed

London Luton Airport resumed flight activity late Wednesday following the incident.

Marketing

This Powerful Marketing Strategy Will Help You Outshine Your Competitors and Make Your Brand More Memorable

Direct mail is stealing the show in the crowded marketing landscape. Here's why.

Business News

This Restaurant Will Charge You a Hefty $50 Fee If You Have One Too Many Mimosas

Kitchen Story in Oakland, California isn't playing around when it comes to bottomless brunch.

Business News

Family Dollar Recalls Over 300 Products 'Out of an Abundance of Caution'

The discount retailer is recalling hundreds of products after the FDA found that they were not stored properly.