{
  "abstract": "Background Social media use is widespread among young adults, with 91% of 16–24-year-olds in the UK engaging in social networking. Concurrently, the prevalence of mental disorders in this demographic has increased, raising concerns about the impact of social media on mental health. Despite the significant role of social media in young adults’ lives and the rising prevalence of mental health issues, there is currently no specific guidance for clinicians on managing problematic social media use, particularly in primary care settings. This is a critical gap, as many young people first seek help for mental health concerns from primary care providers, yet these providers lack the necessary tools and guidelines to address the potential harms associated with social media use effectively. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring young adults’ views on primary care support for social media-related mental health concerns and identifying the guidance and training needed for primary care professionals.Methods This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 27 young adults aged 18–25, who have depression or anxiety, to explore their experiences and views on seeking help for social media-related mental health concerns in primary care. Participants were recruited from various regions in the UK, ensuring a diverse sample. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and sub-themes related to barriers and facilitators in seeking help.Results The study identified several barriers to seeking help, including stigma around social media use, negative attitudes of primary care clinicians, and a lack of meaningful advice. Participants reported feeling that social media was not a priority issue and expressed concerns about being judged or dismissed by clinicians. Additionally, a generational divide and lack of knowledge among clinicians were noted as significant barriers. Facilitators for improving help-seeking included increasing awareness about the effects of social media on mental health, providing practical social media management advice, and enhancing empathy and understanding among clinicians. Participants also highlighted the importance of support from family, schools, universities, charities, and government regulations.Conclusion Addressing the barriers identified in this study could improve primary care support for young adults with social media-related mental health concerns. Recommendations include training for clinicians on social media’s impact, incorporating discussions about social media into consultations, and providing practical management advice. Enhancing awareness and understanding among clinicians and leveraging support from various sectors, such as education, could facilitate better mental health outcomes for young adults.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Ruth Plackett"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Vacha Fadia"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OP56 Exploring young adults’ views on primary care support for social media-related mental health concerns: a qualitative study",
  "uid": "9d1bbc7b-e090-5dae-90f8-20bd5d95fd8f"
}