Scottish Government funds project on young people’s screen time

The Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament are to develop advice on the healthy use of social media and screen time for young people.

Funded by £90,000 from the Scottish Government, the two organisations will develop a new national resource produced by and for children and young people.

The advice is part of a package of measures to improve the mental health of young people, alongside the new national Body Image Advisory Group, and forthcoming research into the impact of disrupted sleep on emotional wellbeing, 

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “Social media does have the potential to be used in a hugely positive way, but we want to ensure young people are properly informed on how social media promotes unrealistic expectations. We also want young people to know what the healthy use of social media platforms looks like. That’s why we have commissioned this advice which, crucially, is created by and for young people. We have also announced our new national advisory group on body image.

“We want all young people to be able to grow up in a modern Scotland with good mental wellbeing, and with the right support for issues that they say matter to them. Now is the time to address these issues head on.”