OECD Study: The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Youth Life Satisfaction
An analysis by the OECD using 2022 PISA data from over 270,000 students across 47 countries has revealed a complex relationship between social media time and life satisfaction. The findings indicate that gender and regional differences are decisive factors in this interaction.
Data from over 270,000 students aged 15-16 from 47 countries, collected as part of the OECD's 2022 PISA study, were examined to analyze the relationship between social media usage time and life satisfaction.
According to the research results, a decline in life satisfaction was observed in female students as daily social media usage time increased. For male students, a similar trend was limited only to Western Europe and English-speaking countries. These self-reported data from students reveal that the impact of social media usage on life satisfaction does not follow a universal pattern.
The analysis does not prove that social media usage is the direct cause of changes in life satisfaction. Mehmet Konuralp Yılmaz, founder of the NEFA Youth and Trade Platform, stated that young people should not be evaluated solely by screen time and drew attention to the importance of social environments that support face-to-face communication. Yılmaz expressed that universities and local governments should develop joint projects to increase youth participation.
Sources
- usakhabergazetesi.com.tr · Link