Nuffield Health’s 2024 ‘Healthier Nation Index’ highlights the growing obsession with social media among the UK’s young workforce.
- The survey points to a 7% rise in social media use among Gen-Z, equating to over two hours daily.
- Doomscrolling has become a common behaviour, negatively impacting sleep and mental health.
- Screen time before bed is cited as a major barrier to adequate sleep, worsening physical and mental health issues.
- Employers can play a crucial role by recognising unhealthy social media habits and establishing effective workplace policies.
Nuffield Health’s latest survey, the 2024 ‘Healthier Nation Index’, has unearthed concerning trends among the UK’s young workforce, particularly the Gen-Z demographic aged 16-24. Their social media consumption has increased by 7%, now averaging over two hours a day on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. This figure represents a significant deviation from the recommended daily social media usage for optimal wellbeing.
The phenomenon of doomscrolling, a term that gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, describes the compulsive need to scroll through negative news feeds. It has been identified as a significant contributor to deteriorating mental health. It is reported that nearly 25% of individuals recognise pre-bedtime screen time as the third largest obstacle to achieving restful sleep, while almost half of the young population have acknowledged social media’s adverse effects on their physical and mental well-being over the past year.
The interplay between mental health and sleep is intricate and not fully understood. However, existing neurochemical research suggests that sufficient sleep is essential for emotional resilience and mental wellness. Chronic sleep disturbances have been linked to heightened emotional reactivity and susceptibility to stress. This can have serious repercussions in professional settings, where increased stress may exacerbate absenteeism and diminish productivity, potentially escalating into severe mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Lisa Gunn, serving as the Mental Health Prevention Lead at Nuffield Health, advises that employers should prioritise recognising detrimental digital habits among younger employees. The addictive nature of social media, driven by the pursuit of instant gratification and dopamine release, necessitates vigilance from organisations. Signs of problematic social media use include constant reliance on phones for procrastination, obsessive monitoring of social interactions via digital platforms, and excessive content creation within work environments.
Establishing comprehensive workplace policies is recommended to curb excessive social media use during working hours. These policies should promote accountability and set clear expectations regarding acceptable digital behaviour, potentially integrating guidelines into employment contracts. Employers are encouraged to communicate these standards effectively, ensuring that they are enforced consistently across the organisation.
Beyond formal workplace policies, there is a growing need for businesses to advocate for lifestyle changes that extend beyond working hours. Encouraging employees to engage in offline activities can mitigate the tendency to doomscroll. By organising wellness initiatives such as physical activity sessions and meditation workshops, employers can enhance overall wellbeing and contribute to healthier sleep patterns among their workforce.
In cases where employees exhibit signs of emotional distress linked to digital consumption, directing them towards professional support services is crucial. Businesses can benefit from incorporating external resources such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), providing confidential support to those impacted by the mental health challenges associated with social media use.
Addressing the intertwined issues of social media usage and mental health requires collaborative efforts from both employers and employees.
