I have over 30 years of direct clinical experience of children and young people presenting with symptoms of depression. In that time, there have been many changes and trends; over the past ten years, the increase of primary school-age children presenting with depression is a particularly worrying phenomena.The prevalent increase in social media use doesn't make it easier for kids, who struggle to fit in. And this won't end anytime soon, if parents or authorities can't control their kids' social media activities. Lucie Russell, director of campaigns for charity Young Minds, said:
"It used to be the case that while some children might have a hard time at school, they could go home and switch off. Now there isn't that escape, children are on devices all the time.[Telegraph]
"As well as the problems with cyberbullying, we have developed this culture where even young children are trying to create a brand, based on how they look - which can make girls especially feel very anxious - and about how many Facebook friends they have."