Young people and addiction remain a worrying subject in society. An Ipsos/Macif 2023 barometer which looks at the consumption of substances but also of screens, reveals worrying figures. Thus, two young people (aged 16 to 30) out of three, i.e. 65%, “have already called, taken part in telephone meetings for work, sent or read text messages or emails, watched films or series, played games or consulted social networks while traveling by car, motorbike, scooter or bicycle. »
Even more disturbing: “30% of scooter users admit to having watched a series on their phone while driving. It is therefore no longer just the consumption of alcohol or other substances that becomes dangerous on the road, but that of screens. One in five screen users say they have put themselves in a dangerous situation on the public highway, according to this study carried out among a representative sample of 3,500 young people aged 16 to 30 from March 29 to April 10, 2023.
A “loss of control”
In addition to alcohol, tobacco and drugs, today’s young people have to deal with this addiction to screens which, for some, is already having repercussions on their daily lives. While 45% of screen users highlight their wish to have fun, or to de-stress (43%), and to feel good (28%), 70% of young people say they have lost control at least once during past 12 months because of their screen consumption. And more than half of young people say they have lost it at least ten times.
This loss of control results in a loss of the notion of time (61%) and difficulty in getting to sleep (47%). “In addition, nearly a third of them declare that these loss of control have led them to no longer respond to requests from those around them (32%) or to develop vision problems (28%)”, further notes the study.
This study, the third carried out on this subject, highlights behaviors that are stabilizing but which are no less worrying.