Sure! Here’s the translation to American English:
The digital environment, which encompasses everything from social media to AI-driven platforms, poses a significant risk to the mental health of children and adolescents in Europe, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Poland’s Ministry of Health and the Digital Health Transformations Laboratory. This study, titled “Addressing the Digital Determinants of Youth Mental Health,” combines an analysis of current evidence and policies, calling on governments, industries, and civil society to take immediate action to ensure safety, health, and equity in digital spaces.
The WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, warns that the digital environment influences young people’s mental health almost as significantly as experiences at home and school, stressing that these influences lack the necessary protections. The report highlights the duality of technology use among youth, mentioning both its positive and negative effects. Among the most alarming risks are cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards, and exposure to self-harm content and harmful marketing—phenomena that are widespread and poorly regulated.
The analysis also reveals a lack of consensus on who should bear responsibility for the digital safety of minors. While many national policies place this burden on parents and youths, the responsibility that falls on the tech industry and the active involvement of the youth audience remain limited. Ilona Kickbusch, director of the Digital Health Transformations Laboratory, emphasizes the importance of considering young people’s online experiences carefully as a determinant of their health.
In this context, the WHO has urged countries to prioritize eight urgent policy actions. These include making digital well-being a public health priority, regulating platform design to limit addictive features, training healthcare personnel in safe technology use, and encouraging investments in non-screen entertainment alternatives.
The mobilization is urgent: governments, industry, and communities must unite to create digital environments that promote the well-being of new generations. This is not only a health issue but also a pressing necessity for the future of society.
via: MiMub in Spanish
