Josep Maria Suelves

Position

Researcher at the Behavioural Design Lab at the UOC eHealth Centre, member of the board of directors of the Public Health Society of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, and vice-chairman of the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking

Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Public Health Society of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands

Topics

psychology, addictions, smoking, vaping, public health

Reaction: Social media use in young people is associated with increased risk behaviour, says review of studies

social media

Reaction: Social media use in young people is associated with increased risk behaviour, says review of studies

SMC Spain

A review including 126 studies shows an association between the use of social networking sites by 10-19 year olds and increased risk behaviours, including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, risky sexual behaviour, gambling and antisocial behaviour. According to the authors, who acknowledge that their research does not establish causality, "precautions may need to be taken in academia, government, health and education before the risks of adolescent use of social networking sites are fully understood". The findings are published in The BMJ.