Queensland's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard has declared a "public health alert" over the rise in mental health issues among the state's young people, coinciding with the emergence of smart phones and social media.His comments come a year after alarming data published in his Health of Queenslanders report revealed self-harm hospitalisations for girls aged up to 14 years have more than tripled since 2009.
While stopping short of recommending legal restrictions on social media use by young people at this stage, Dr Gerrard said: "This is a public health alert."Earlier this year, Queensland Health brought together a group of mental health and social media experts to examine the effects of social media on the mental health of young people.
"Queensland Health recommends parents limit access to social media for children under the age of 14 years, closely monitor and support children as it is introduced, and restrict time until healthy habits are established," the guide says. Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says the rise in mental health issues is linked to teens' social media use.The guidelines also encourage parents to engage their children in open discussions about social media content and to ensure their social media engagement is "short in duration, and healthy in content".Jo was scammed out of $500,000.
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