NSW Government announces plans for a summit to address the mental health impacts of social media, especially for young people.

NSW Government media release:

The NSW Government will host a social media summit to address the increasing harm online platforms are having on children and young people.

Scheduled for October 2024, the summit will bring together senior officials, policy makers, academics, as well as representatives from other jurisdictions, leading social media platforms and digital technologies.

The summit will aim to examine the latest evidence and develop a response to growing community concern about the mental health impacts of social media, especially for young kids.

The NSW Government recognises that social media platforms provide benefits through increased access to social connection, however there is also a significant body of evidence detailing negative impacts on young people.

A study found that adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Government says it will use the findings from the event to inform any regulatory and legislative changes.