The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) reported on Thursday that recent trends confirm a worrying link between the excessive time spent in front of screens and the deterioration of mental health indicators, especially among children and young people.
The National Institute of Public Health and the County Directorates of Public Health organize, in January and February, the national information, education and awareness campaign dedicated to the promotion of mental health.
The campaign runs under the slogan “Be aware! Life lived online has consequences offline!” and aims to increase public awareness and a direct call to action against addiction to digital technologies, given its increased impact on mental health and well-being, with children and young people being the most affected, according to the News.
In addition, the promotion of preventive behaviors for mental health and encouraging the population to invest in offline alternatives to screen-based entertainment is considered.
“Recent trends confirm a worrying link between excessive screen time and deteriorating mental health indicators, particularly among children and young people. The World Health Organization underlines the magnitude of the problem: worldwide, nearly 1 billion people have experienced a mental disorder, and one adolescent in seven (aged 10 to 19) lives with a diagnosed mental disorder”sent the INSP.
According to specialists, the seriousness of the situation is reflected by the fact that mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are a major cause of illness and disability among young people.
“Furthermore, the data becomes alarming in the context of safety: globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29. According to the EU Mental Health Strategy, before the pandemic, one in six Europeans suffered from mental health problems. The data from 2024 indicates that this burden has worsened, requiring a comprehensive approach to mental health”inform the INSP specialists.
They announce that initiatives have been included to promote digital well-being and help young people develop healthy habits in the online environment, following more and more studies documenting that many teenagers have become addicted to social media platforms, often to the detriment of their mental health.
“On a national level, relevant statistics show that over 22,000 children and adolescents in Romania have been registered with mental health disorders, and the incidence of cases of depression and anxiety among the 7-18 age group has registered a constant increase. In Romania, a study carried out by UNICEF Romania in 2025 on adolescents, as well as the constant reports of Save the Children Romania, confirmed a strong association between excessive time spent in front of screens and decrease in well-being, with the appearance of emotional imbalances”inform the INSP specialists.
According to them, moreover, the conclusions indicate an increase in the risk of anxiety and depression for children and young people, as well as a reduction in face-to-face communication.
“Thus, technology simultaneously becomes a resource and a risk factor, which is why the balanced and guided use of digital tools remains an essential factor in improving access to high-quality education and learning resources, strengthening the skills of the future. Solutions for maintaining children’s well-being in an unpredictable world require constant adaptation to change, which is why multisectoral interventions and collaboration between family, school and health services are essential”the INSP also transmitted.
