Spain and Argentina spotlight youth screen‑time and mental health

A Spanish survey finds that 67.9% of children aged 10‑15 use a mobile phone, with the average age of first ownership at 10.8 years. Nearly all secondary‑school students (92.8%) own a phone, and 92.5% of adolescents participate in at least one social‑media platform. The study also notes a slight decline in usage compared with the previous year.

In Sevilla, more than 100 participants attended the "Mente clara en un mundo hiperconectado" conference, where psychologists and experts warned that constant digital connectivity is raising anxiety, mental fatigue and concentration problems in both adults and minors. UNICEF’s 2023‑2024 barometer shows 41% of teenagers report a mental‑health issue in the past year, and 32% feel pressure to present a perfect life online. A cited global study reported workplace stress rising from 31% in 2013 to 41% in 2023, underscoring the broader societal impact of hyper‑connectivity.