'Selfie Culture' Puts Young Women At Highest 'Mental Health Risk'

‘Selfie Culture’ Puts Young Women At Highest ‘Mental Health Risk’

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Soaring numbers of young women are suffering mental health problems and self-harm as a “selfie culture” heaps pressures on girls, new research suggests.

More than one quarter of women aged between 16 and 24 are suffering from symptoms of common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, according to a major NHS report. Among this age group, 26 per cent of women had self-harmed, along with 10 per cent of men, while 13 per cent of girls had post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This makes them the group with the highest risk for mental health problems.

Girls appeared particularly vulnerable to social media, with a “selfie generation” left feeling under pressure over their body image, and falling victim to bullying from peers. Experts said much of the anxiety among women aged 16-24 appeared to stem from insecurities which began much earlier, with many feeling their lives did not compete with images on social media.

– Laura Donnelly

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‘Selfie Culture’ Puts Young Women At Highest ‘Mental Health Risk’