The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Wellbeing among Young Australians

Andrew Leigh and Stephen Robson ()
Additional contact information
Stephen Robson: Australian National University

No 17525, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using multiple sources, we document a substantial worsening in the mental wellbeing of Australians aged 15-24, as measured by surveys, self-harm hospitalisations and suicide deaths. The shift began around 2007-2010 and is worse for young women than for young men. While several factors could be to blame, we present six pieces of evidence suggesting that smartphones and social media may have played a causal role in damaging the mental health of young Australians.

Keywords: mental health; technology; smartphones; social media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 I12 L82 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 16 pages
Date: 2024-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hap and nep-hea
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Related works:
Journal Article: The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Well‐Being Among Young Australians (2025)
Working Paper: The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Wellbeing Among Young Australians (2024)
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