Hungarian research links social‑media use to rising youth depression

A new volume published by Hungary’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority shows that more than 40% of university students report depressive symptoms, with a similar share indicating suicidal thoughts. Researchers note that many young people turn to social media as a way to cope with anxiety, but this often deepens their mental‑health problems. The study also finds that about 72% of Hungarian teenagers play video games regularly, with boys averaging over 17 hours per week.

At a separate event, child‑safety expert Ákos Pöltl warned that early exposure to smartphones and platforms such as Instagram and TikTok – which surged between 2010 and 2015 – is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and self‑harm among children. He cited U.S. lawsuits in which more than 1,600 families sued major platforms for designing addictive features. A “digital fast” trial with 120 eighth‑graders showed that even modest reductions in screen time improved attention and mental well‑being. The findings underline growing concerns about the psychological impact of digital environments on Hungary’s youth.