Is the time teenagers spend on social media really damaging their wellbeing and mental health? Around the globe, youth mental health problems are on the rise. This has coincided with an ever increasing amount of time teenagers spend on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X and Snapchat.

In the public discourse at least, this correlation has been interpreted to mean one thing: social media damages the mental health of our young people. But what does the evidence actually say?

Unfortunately, the scientific community has been unable to provide a definitive answer. Many studies report on the negative effects social media use has for teenagers. Many others provide evidence of the positive effects, or even highlight no effects at all. The evidence base is mixed and inconsistent.

For instance, one recent study followed more than 100,000 Australian adolescents for three years. It found that moderate social media use was associated with positive wellbeing outcomes. Another large-scale study highlights the positive relationship between adolescent self-esteem and using social media for social support.

By contrast, other research has found a consistent link between social media use and poorer mental health outcomes for adolescents, particularly for girls.

Further adding to the complicated picture, other studies conclude that the link between social media and adolescent wellbeing is weak and cannot be considered clinically relevant.

Looking at the variables

In my own recent research, I used a method called specification curve analysis (SCA) to analyse a publicly available lifestyle dataset of nearly 3,000 15- and 16-year olds living in the west of Ireland. SCA is a computational method which reveals the associations between all theoretically relevant variables in a dataset.

For example, my study assessed the links between the time teenagers spend on social media each day and a range of outcomes such as self-esteem, perceived stress, anxiety, depression and diet, as well as their physical activity and sleep quality.

When all the combinations of relevant variables are considered, more than 50,000 different pathways linking social media to teenage health outcomes were assessed in my study. Below is the specification curve relating the amount of time those teenagers spend on social media to their health behaviour.

The blue dots represent a combination of variables which suggest the association between social media time and health behaviours is beneficial, and that association is statistically significant. The red dots represent variable combinations where the association is negatively correlated with more social media time. The grey dots are combinations where the relationship between social media time and health behaviours are not statistically significant.

For example, when we look exclusively at the amount of time teenage boys in this dataset spend on social media, and the amount of time they spend engaging in physical exercise, the correlation is positive, hence a blue dot. More time on social media equals more time doing physical exercise.

However, when ethnicity and family wealth are removed as control variables from the analysis – meaning the data is no longer adjusted for these differences – then that statistical connection disappears, hence a grey dot. When all control variables are removed, such as age, ethnicity, school grade and family wealth, the relationship between social media and physical activity for boys becomes negative and statistically significant: a red dot. Essentially, looking at the same data in different ways produces different results.

When all possible associations are considered, the overall finding from my study is that yes, time on social media is linked with poorer health outcomes for teenagers. In this graph, when all the possible ways of looking at the data are assessed, 64% suggest more time on social media is associated with poorer health.

However, the strength of those associations are small. When I compared these effects to other influences, such as feeling safe at school or having supportive parents, the effects of social media are quite modest. In fact, time spent on social media is one of the least powerful predictors of adolescent health in this dataset.

This challenges the popular narrative that social media platforms are the main culprits behind rising mental health problems. Indeed, a recent report from the US National Academies reached a similar conclusion: there’s no strong evidence that social media causes widespread harm.

While the results of my study align with this view, these results should be interpreted with caution and may not reflect the experience of all teenagers. There are risks associated with social media platforms for young people, and those do deserve attention. And importantly, if we conclude that the amount of time that teens spend online does not cause significant damage to their wellbeing, we also have to acknowledge that it does not enhance their wellbeing either.

If the goal is healthier, happier teens, interventions should target what really matters: safe school environments, strong family support and tackling bullying. The teenagers in my study reported spending an average of 2.5 hours per day on social media platforms. Reducing that time in favour of activities proven to enhance youth wellbeing – physical exercise, creative activities, volunteering – would be an effective way forward.

The King Street homeless centre has been operating without planning permission for over a year

Police have said there has been no extra antisocial behaviour or crime recorded around a controversial homeless centre that has been operating in Belfast city centre without planning permission for over a year.

This week a planning application will return to the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, that is, a retrospective change of use from a ground floor taxi passenger terminal, cafe, office and newsagent to a Homeless Centre, at 35a King Street, Belfast, BT1. It has been over a year since the application first appeared at City Hall, but it has seen various delays and deferrals.

The new homeless centre at King Street has been used as a service for vulnerable people since May 2025, without planning permission, and there have been large numbers of representations sent to Belfast City Council objecting to the application, as well as in support.

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The applicant is Belfast Homeless Services, who were previously based at Amelia Street. They explain in the application that this building was deemed no longer safe due to its structural condition.

The last appearance at the Planning Committee was in February. At that meeting, Sinn Féin Councillor Natasha Brennan asked for the application to be deferred “on the grounds there is an outstanding environmental health report” and to “show due diligence given the massive amount of responses.”

The application states the centre will provide meals, washing and changing facilities and an internal social amenity area for users, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week from 4pm to 10pm.

67 objections have been sent to the council raising concerns about anti-social behaviour, the impact on residential amenity, and community cohesion. Objectors have said it has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of locals, and is “detrimental to placemaking.”

The council has also received 149 letters of support in relation to the application. Supporters say the scheme will help combat the homelessness problem within Belfast, and that the centre was successful in other locations. They add that the anti-social behaviour policies are adequate, with a “zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy,” and say with an accessible city centre location the centre “provides a local need.”

The application will appear again at the Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday evening (June 16). It appears with further information submitted to the council, including advice from PSNI in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour issues. and further consultation from the council’s Environmental Health team.

The report states: “The PSNI advises that when comparing crime and antisocial behaviour reported and recorded on King Street and Castle Street between 1/1/25 to 3/6/25 and 1/1/26 to 3/6/26, there has been no increase in reported crime or ASB.

“The PSNI had previously advised that there had similarly been no reported increase in crime or ASB during the period 1/5/25, when it is understood the use commenced, to 1/3/26.”

It adds: “However, the PSNI states that this does not mean either crime or ASB has not increased. Relevant stakeholders may say different and many businesses in meetings PSNI has attended throughout the city centre advise they do not have time to report.”

The additional information also includes recommended conditions in respect of odour abatement, hours of operation and noise.

The report states: “Environmental Health recommended a condition that seeks a schematic drawing detailing the exact specifications of the proposed odour control components, location and duct runs to achieve a “very high level” of odour control as per best practice guidance.

“In response, the applicant has accepted a “no-cooking” condition that would dispense with the need for enhanced odour abatement. Environmental Health has confirmed that it is content with this approach.”

Council officers are recommending approval for the retrospective application.

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Cops and paramedics swooped on Ilford Lane in East London on Saturday afternoon as a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in broad daylight on the busy city street

A shocking knife attack has left a 15-year-old boy fighting for his life after he was stabbed in broad daylight on a busy street.

The boy was on Ilford Lane, in Ilford, shortly before 4.55pm on Saturday, a busy road lined with shops and homes, when the attack took place.

A 17-year-old boy has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. He remains in custody as of Monday.

Ilford Lane was closed by police as officers sought evidence at the crime scene after the the teenager was rushed to a major trauma centre by paramedics.

Cops threw up a cordon between A118 Winston Way and Grange Road for well over 24 hours following the attack as forensic teams worked at the site.

Officers are now appealing for any witnesses to the stabbing to come forward.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Around 4.55pm on Saturday, June 13, officers attended Ilford Lane, Ilford, following reports of a stabbing.

“Police attended with the London Ambulance Service. A 15-year-old boy was treated at the scene for stab injuries. He was taken to hospital, where he remains in life-threatening condition.

“A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken into police custody, where he remains. Anybody who witnessed the incident is urged to call 101, quoting reference 5194/13JUN.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called on Saturday, June 13, at 4.51pm to reports of a stabbing in Ilford Lane, Ilford.

“We sent resources including ambulance crews, advanced paramedic practitioners, an incident response officer and London’s air ambulance. We treated a teenager at the scene before taking him to a London major trauma centre.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif (AP) — Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, accusing the Trump administration of targeting him for political purposes as he weighs a presidential bid.

Newsom, a longtime political rival of the Republican president, said in a video posted on X that federal agents in recent days have knocked on the doors of his friends and former employees, and have asked for records “not because they found a crime, but because they’re simply trying to find one.”

“Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean tweets,” Newsom said, referencing his use of social media to mock Trump. “He’s coming after me because I’m considering running for president, because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.”

The full details of any investigations related to Newsom were not immediately clear.

A person familiar with the matter confirmed that there are multiple federal investigations into people around Newsom, including one related to his wife’s taxes. The probes began last year after whistleblower complaints in California government, and political leadership in Washington was not involved in the decision to open them, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss ongoing investigations.

They are the latest known Justice Department investigations related to one of Trump’s foes, a trend that has sparked criticism that the administration is using the law enforcement agency as a political weapon.

The Justice Department has also opened investigations into or brought prosecutions against former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former CIA director John Brennan and former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, among other perceived political enemies of the president.

“One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list, and today I proudly join that list,” Newsom said in the video.

The president has repeatedly gone after the Democrat-dominated state during his second term including by curbing a signature plan to reduce planet-warning emissions from cars, withholding aid for wildfire recovery and suing over state policies supporting transgender student-athletes. The state has pushed back by suing the federal government dozens of times.

Newsom also led a push to counteract a Trump-backed effort in Texas to redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans by championing a successful redistricting measure in California designed to win Democrats five additional House seats.

The captain of a shadow Russian ship carrying oil captured by commandos is to appear in a British court.

Ajay Pant, 38, will appear at Southampton Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with contravening sanctions.

The Indian national and captain of the Smyrtos, has also been charged with directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country during June 2026, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers seized the tanker in the Channel early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned vessel.

The Smyrtos vessel is anchored off Weymouth, in Dorset where it is being monitored.

The 24 Smyrtos crew members, from Georgia and India, remain on board the ship.

Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ carries 75% of the country’s sanctioned oil, according to the MoD, and operates under obscure ownership as a way of getting around international sanctions.

Despite this, the UK has sanctioned more than 500 of its 700 vessels.

In another operation on June 1, the country intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of the shadow fleet with UK support.

Speaking on Sky News hours after the capture, Lisa Nandy said: ‘One of the instructions the prime minister gave early on was that he wanted us to be on the front foot, taking that decisive action in order to keep the country safe and deal with the threat posed by Russia.

‘We’ve been able to successfully do that. I want to pay tribute to all the Navy officers involved in that; it is no small achievement, but it is also a significant blow to the Russians.’

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A ban takes the onus off the social media companies to clean-up their sites. If these sites are too dangerous for 15-year-olds to use them, what harm will they do to 16-year-olds when they are suddenly exposed to them for the first time with all the harmful content and algorithms unchecked. What is this content and continual doomscrolling doing to the rest of us – surely it would be better if the vastly profitable companies were forced to be more responsible for the sake of us all.

It is also unlikely that a ban will be watertight. Clever children will find a way round it; dark communication sites will appear long before parents know what is going on. Again, it feels that a better way would be for the existing sites to be made safe for use.

And an outright ban means our young people will not be able to benefit from the positive side of social media: its educational, organisational and social functions which so many adults find useful in this digital world.

The Government wants to act fast and look tough, and says its ban could be in place within six or so months.

We all want to see social media cleaned of its sexual and graphic content, of its lies and deliberate misinformation, and of its addictive algorithms, and the Government is right so the Parliamentary debate will need convince that this simple solution is the best way to tackle a complex problem.

The 24-year-old was missing for around nine hours before he got in contact with a relative, and although a suicide note was found in his car, it transpired that he had flown to Boston

A man charged with the sexual assault of two young girls faked his suicide and flew to Boston, a police detective told a court.

The Detective Constable also told Ballymena Magistrates Court that the PSNI had sent out an appeal regarding the safety and whereabouts of Curtis McCarthy as a “high risk missing person”.

The 24-year-old was missing for around nine hours before he got in contact with a relative, and although a suicide note was found in his car, it transpired that he had flown to Boston.

Having returned to Northern Ireland, McCarthy, from Joanmount Gardens in North Belfast, appeared in the dock and confirmed that he understood the 10 charges against him.

Alleged to have been committed against two girls in July 2024, McCarthy faces eight charges of sexual assault and two counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Giving evidence to the court, the detective said she believed she could connect McCarthy to each of the offences.

The investigator said while police were content for McCarthy to be released on continuing bail, given his weekend trip to Boston and “trying to fake his own suicide to avoid this court,” police were applying for extra conditions.

Releasing McCarthy on his own bail of £500 and adjourning the case to 2 July, District Judge Nigel Broderick ordered the defendant to surrender his passport and to report to police once a week.

The judge also ordered that McCarthy must reside at his home address and is barred from contacting the witnesses or complainants and prohibited from any unsupervised contact with children.

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The Tartan Army have swapped pub crawls for sightseeing as supporters make the most of Boston’s attractions after Scotland’s opening World Cup win over Haiti.

The cultured Tartan Army are taking in sightseeing tours in a rare quiet moment before the chaos resumes later this week.

Scotland fans are enjoying some downtime in Boston, with fans able to relax and put their feet up thanks to our 1-0 win over Haiti at the weekend.

Supporters brushing off Boston Red Sox hangovers headed down to the Museum of Science on Monday before booking tickets for the city’s famous duck tours.

The popular sightseeing attraction, features a fully narrated 80-minute tours in replica World War II amphibious vehicles that travel on both land and water.

The signature highlight of the experience is a dramatic “big splash” directly into the Charles River for panoramic views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines.

Speaking to the Record before boarding, Fraser MacKenzie, 43, from Kilwinning, and his dad Donald, 73, from Paisley said they have been loving the American hospitality.

Donald, a retired operations manager, added: “It’s a great city. The people have been so welcoming. Every time they see the Scotland badge they come up to us – it’s been superb.

“We’ve really been making the most of the trip. We walked 13.4miles yesterday.

Fraser, who works in IT sales, added: “We’re heading on the tour of Boston down Charles River to see the main sights. We’ll be taking it easy on the step count today but still exploring the city. It’s been phenominal.”

Nieshia Boal, a 35-year-old change manager, and her dad John, a 60-year-old electrician, were watching on enviously after accidentally buying their duck tour tickets for the wrong day.

Nieshia, from Stevenston, said: “We just missed the duck tour there which is gutting – everything is fully booked. We are all getting right in amongst it.

“We’ve absolutely loved our trip. It’s been amazing. I feel so proud. When you see all our fans and the impact we’ve had on the city. People have come up to us and said ‘thank you so much for bringing joy to Boston’.

“I guarantee there will be no other fans that will come here and leave this mark on the city.

“We’ve done a lot of pub crawling bnut we’ve seen loads of the city too. We went to the game at Fenway Park yesterday. That was absolutely pumping – the Red Sox fans didn’t know what had hit them! It was so great to see all the Scotland fans there.”

John added: “We were at the game on Saturday too. The atmosphere was amazing. When Flower of Scotland was sang – that will stay with me forever. I think we will do enough to get out the group now. We’ve never been in a better position.”

Richard Taylor, who is 45 and works for Police Scotland, was heading to towards the museum with his son Lewis, 16.

Richard, from Cambuslang, told the Record: “It’s been a fantastic trip – it’s been like nothing we have ever experienced.

“We went to the fan zone yesterday which was brilliant and today we are going on the tour of the city before gearing up for the Morocco match on Friday.

“We’ve been squeezing in as much as we can. It has been a Scotland takeover. Everyone has been so nice and so grateful that we are here.”

Lewis added: “It’s been unreal. The atmosphere at the stadium was like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life too. I think the Morocco match will be a tough one but I think we will do enough to get the point.”

It was a quiet atmosphere in the city centre compared to the chaotic scenes on Saturday.

Mark Dunlop, 64, a publican from Ayr, Alan Gourlay, 64, a retired mechanic originally from Glasgow but now living in Sydney, Mark Craig, 64, a retired accountant originally from Ayr now living in Sydney, and Douglas Simpson, who is 64, retired and from Ayr, were heading on the city cruise.

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Mark said: “We’ve absolutely lucked out. It’s an amazing city and has been an amazing trip. We’re heading on the duck tour now and we’re heading to the baseball tomorrow. It think we are a couple of days late for that and a dollar short, but what can you do! That’s how we roll.

“We just need to be better organised and play a bit more positive on Friday. If we do that, we’ll get the result we need.”

Elsewhere Barbara Wilson, 79, Sheena Henderson, 79, and her son Alistair Henderson, 45, have been savouring every moment of their World Cup adventures.

The trio were also there at Fenway Park to embrace the chaos at the “Scotland celebration” baseball match.

Barbara said: “I don’t think the Red Sox actually knew what was coming.

“The whole stadium was singing Flower of Scotland and Super John McGinn.”

She laughed: “One fan turned around and said to me, ‘I have no idea who John McGinn is, but I like the sound of him!’”

Sheena said: “The atmosphere was just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. A couple of Red Sox fans who we were chatting to just couldn’t believe it. They’d never seen anything like it.

“We’re heading on the duck tour now. We are away home tonight but we’ve been making the most of our time here. I just wish we could stay for the Morocco game.”

Barbara piped back in: “You never know, we could be back if we get through this group! I was there in Turin 36 years ago we we suffered the heartbreak against Brazil but it’s going to be different this time. We’re going to beat Morocco and draw with Brazil.”

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The PSNI released the figures as it defended its approach to policing the violence that erupted after last week’s knife attack

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There have been 35 arrests made and 23 people charged to date after disorder broke out following the Belfast stabbing last Monday.

The PSNI released the figures as it defended its approach to policing the violence that erupted after a knife attack in North Belfast in which the victim lost an eye.

Homes, a bus and cars were set on fire in Belfast and elsewhere as people were targeted based on their race.

A week on from the disorder, senior officers defended the PSNI’s approach to tackling the disorder and said its officers had “undoubtedly saved lives”.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson rejected claims its response was “anything other than appropriate” and praised the work of officers, 42 of whom were injured during violence that erupted last week.

“Within 24 hours of the attempted murder of the man in Kinnaird Avenue, police officers had arrested and charged a man in relation to this horrendous attack,” he said.

“That day, we extensively appealed for calm and to allow justice to take its course. Sadly, what we saw following was inexcusable lawlessness and disorder across Belfast and beyond.

“Our officers worked under incredibly challenging conditions to calm disorder, protect lives and restore calm.

“During the peak of the disorder, people intent on chaos came out to burn homes and cars with people fleeing.

“Police officers were first to many of these scenes and helped people to safety, including a two-month-old baby.

“Responsibility for the violence, criminal damage, intimidation and disorder lies squarely with those who came out on the streets.

“Throughout this time, our officers have worked around the clock to protect life, prevent further harm and facilitate lawful, peaceful protests.”

He paid tribute to the officers for their display of “unwavering professionalism, courage, and resolve”.

“Once again putting themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe resulting in unacceptable injuries to 42 of them – they are a credit to us all,” he said.

“Throughout the disorder, there has been extreme, anti-immigration disinformation on social media, underscoring the reality that there are those in society who seek to use any incident in our communities to create misunderstanding, generate fear and provoke anti-migrant sentiment.

“We have been working night and day to ensure those who chose to bring violence to our streets are brought to justice.

“To date, there have been 35 arrests and 23 people charged to court by the Public Order Enquiry Team.

“The charges are for a number of offences including riotous behaviour, attempted criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of an article with intent to damage property, disorderly behaviour and assault on a police-designated person.

“Those responsible will face the full force of the law.”

He added: “There can be no justification for the violence and disorder we have seen last week. The public can be reassured that they will continue to see a heightened police presence in towns and cities, and engagement will continue as we work to keep people safe.

“Our increased presence and engagement in local communities includes communicating through digital channels to ensure anyone caught up in potential disorder thinks again and walks away.

“We would also repeat our appeal to anyone who has been the victim of, or has any information on, any crime to contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. We can assure you that we will always act on concerns and information we receive.”

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European champions Spain were held to surprise 0-0 draw by debutants Cape Verde in their World Cup opener, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a standout performance for his side in their Group H clash.

MATCH REPORT: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

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