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Almost half of the youth said that a TV series or a film He noted that “his mental state has been negatively impacted.” well-being”, according to a new survey.
Of the respondents who reported negative effects (45 percent), 97 percent said it “had some effect on them” – 46 percent said it “stayed with them for a while”.
Forty percent reported feeling sad or emotionally depressed, while 39 percent felt anxious or upset.
More than a quarter (28 percent) reported trouble sleeping afterward, with three in 10 saying they decided to avoid similar content in the future.
In a survey of 2,000 young people aged 12 to 21 in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), 80 percent considered whether a movie or TV series would have a negative impact on their mood or mental health before watching, while 84 percent wondered whether the content would contain disturbing themes or scenes they would want to avoid.
David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC, said: “It is sad that the mental health of more than two in five young people is being negatively impacted by film and TV.
“Among those affected who were unaware of content issues before watching, 70 percent said the impact would have been reduced if they had known about them in advance.
“This clearly shows that young people want to make informed decisions about what they watch. Clear, transparent age ratings and content advice are essential tools that empower them to do this.”
Survey, published on World mental health Day also showed that 73 per cent of people returned to a favorite movie or TV series when they needed a boost – but 55 per cent stopped watching something because they believed it could have a negative impact on their well-being.
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Of those who were negatively affected, seven in 10 also said they felt the impact would have been less if they had known about the content in advance.
Ella Bradshaw, online child protection policy officer at the NSPCC, said: “This research is an important reminder that what children are exposed to on screens can have a real impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
“In a world where film, TV and social media are just a tap away, clear, trustworthy guidance for families has never been more important.
“Age ratings and advice that truly reflect young people’s voices and experiences are essential tools to help them and their parents and carers make informed choices.”
Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “Film and TV can offer so much to young people, from inspiration to education. But the reality is that some content can be upsetting, triggering or difficult to process.
“Children, young people and their parents or carers should be actively supported to make choices that are right for their age, whether they are watching at the cinema, at home or online.
“The BBFC’s findings are a timely reminder of the need for clear guidance and age ratings.”
Lorna Fraser, head of media advisory service at Samaritans, said: “Young people are particularly susceptible and more influenced by what they see in the media than other age groups.
“Providing clear, upfront guidance around topics such as suicide and self-harm – allowing viewers to make informed choices and be emotionally prepared for what they see.”
Rehema Figueiredo, head of media at Mind, said: “With one in five young people in England struggling with a mental health problem, the BBFC’s research highlights how important it is to have access to clear information beforehand to make choices about what to watch and consume.