Youth Under Pressure: Sleep Issues and Problematic Social Media Use Rise
The new KidsHealthCH report compiles data on youth health. It reveals strains but no simple blame.
Poor sleep, psychological stress, and problematic social media use affect a significant portion of the young population. This is shown by KidsHealthCH, a new national monitoring report commissioned by the Bundesamt für Gesundheit. It compiles about 100 indicators on the health of children, adolescents, and young adults.
One figure stands out: In 2022, 28 percent of 15- to 24-year-olds reported sleep disorders. Among 11- to 15-year-olds, seven percent showed problematic social media use. The proportion was significantly higher among girls at ten percent than among boys at four percent.
The temporal context is important. The report was published in 2026, but much of the data analyzed within it dates from 2022. Therefore, it does not describe the current situation with pinpoint accuracy. Its value lies in providing a systematic overview and the ability to identify developments across multiple surveys.
Not All Intensive Use Is Problematic
Social media is part of everyday life. There, young people maintain friendships, inform themselves, develop interests, and find community. Many hours in front of a screen are not automatically a sign of a disorder.
Use is considered problematic only when control is lost and other areas of life suffer – such as sleep, school, relationships, or leisure. The corresponding proportion in the report has risen significantly since 2018; the increase is particularly noticeable among girls. Problematic gaming, in contrast, affects about three percent of 14- and 15-year-olds.
The data also show correlations between problematic media use, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. However, this does not mean that the smartphone alone is the cause. Individuals under psychological stress may use digital offerings more intensively; at the same time, nocturnal notifications, social comparisons, or online conflicts can amplify stress. Often, multiple factors interact.
Sleep Is Not a Minor Matter
Adolescents often have a later sleep rhythm biologically. Early school and work hours do not always align with this. Performance pressure, worries, leisure activities, shift work during apprenticeships, and digital communication can further shorten recovery time.
Persistent sleep deprivation impairs concentration, mood, and physical well-being. A single short night, however, is not yet a health problem. Duration, suffering, and consequences in daily life are decisive.
For families, therefore, the blanket question “How many hours of screen time are allowed?” is less helpful than concrete observation: Is there enough sleep? Are school, work, exercise, and friendships being neglected? Can the device be put away voluntarily? Such questions better capture the situation than a rigid number.
What Can Help in Everyday Life
Clear, mutually agreed-upon routines can provide relief. These include turning off notifications at night, a designated charging spot outside the bedroom, and consistent sleep times as much as possible. Adults are more credible when rules also apply to them.
Conversations should not only begin in conflict. Asking about the platforms used, positive experiences, and stressful situations signals interest rather than control. Shaming or secret surveillance can damage trust.
If sleep problems persist for weeks, daily life or mood is significantly impaired, or a young person withdraws, professional help is advisable. Initial points of contact include general practitioner and pediatric practices, school social workers, school psychological services, and cantonal counseling services. In cases of acute self-harm risk, immediate help is required.
A Mandate for Schools and Politics
Responsibility should not rest solely with adolescents and parents. Schools can combine media literacy, sleep education, and mental health, instead of just warning against “too much screen time.” Counseling centers must be accessible before a crisis develops.
Platforms also bear responsibility: understandable privacy settings, effective youth protection, and designs that do not intentionally hinder breaks. For Switzerland, regular, timely data is also important. Monitoring with several years between reports identifies trends but can only show rapid changes with a delay.
KidsHealthCH is therefore neither an indictment of a generation nor a free pass for the tech industry. The report highlights a real health problem – and at the same time, why simple blame falls short.
Sources
- Bundesamt für Gesundheit: KidsHealthCH – Health of Children and Adolescents in Switzerland (PDF)
- Bundesamt für Gesundheit: Communication on the Monitoring Report
As of: September 9, 2026.
