The impact TV and films are having on the mental health of young people
Nearly half of teens say a TV series or movie they’ve watched has “negatively affected their mental health,” according to a new survey.
Of the respondents who reported a negative impact (45 percent), 97 percent said it “had some impact on them,” while 46 percent said it “stayed with them for a while.”
40 percent reported feeling sad or emotionally low, while 39 percent reported feeling anxious or uneasy.
More than a quarter (28 per cent) said they had trouble sleeping afterwards, while three in 10 said they chose to avoid similar content in the future.
In a survey of 2,000 young people aged 12 to 21 in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), 80 per cent of respondents considered whether a film or TV series would negatively affect their mood or mental health before watching, while 84 per cent considered whether the content contained disturbing themes or scenes they would prefer to avoid.
David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC, said: “It is sad that more than two in five young people have their mental health negatively affected by film and TV.
“70 percent of those affected who were unaware of content issues before watching said the impact would have been lessened if they had known about them in advance.
“This clearly shows that young people want to make informed decisions about what they watch. Clear, transparent age ratings and content recommendations are essential tools that empower them to do this.”
The survey, released on World Mental Health Day, also showed that 73 per cent of respondents turn to their favorite movie or TV series when they need cheering up, but 55 per cent have stopped watching something because they believe it could negatively impact their health.
Seven in 10 of those negatively affected also said they felt the impact would have been lessened if they had known about the content in advance.
Ella Bradshaw, NSPCC policy lead for child safety online, said: “This research is an important reminder that what children are exposed to on screens can have a real impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
“In a world where film, TV and social media are just a tap away, it has never been more important for families to have clear and reliable guidance.
“Age ratings and recommendations that truly reflect young people’s views and experiences are essential tools to help them and their parents and carers make informed choices.”
Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “Film and TV can offer young people so much, from inspiration to education. But the reality is that some content can be upsetting, triggering or difficult to process.
“Children, young people and their parents or carers should be actively supported to make age-appropriate choices, whether watching in the cinema, at home or online.
“The BBFC’s findings are a timely reminder of the need for clear guidance and age ratings.”
Lorna Fraser, head of media consultancy service at Samaritans, said: “Young people are particularly sensitive and are more affected by what they see in the media than other age groups.
“Providing clear and explicit guidance about distressing themes, including suicide and self-harm, allows viewers to make informed choices and be emotionally prepared for what they watch.”
Mind’s head of media, Rehema Figueiredo, said: “With one in five young people in the UK living with a mental health problem, the BBFC’s research highlights how important it is to have access to clear information in advance to make choices about what to watch and consume.”
