Research presented as part of the National Action for Child and Family Health reveals widespread doomscrolling and digital entrapment among young people in Greece, with a clear impact on mood, sleep, and concentration. Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki warned: “In the future, we will face not only a mental health problem, but also a democracy problem.”

The findings presented during the National Action for the Promotion of Child and Family Health by Deputy Minister of Health Eirini Agapidaki and UNICEF raise alarm bells over children’s and young people’s relationship with digital news consumption and social media, as well as the consequences for their mental well-being.

The data paints the picture of an “invisible” digital crisis, with high rates of doomscrolling — the compulsive consumption of negative news — and behaviors that young people themselves recognize are intensified by platform algorithms.

According to the research, 3 in 4 young people experience doomscrolling, while 42% continue scrolling even when the content causes them anxiety. More than half say the habit negatively affects their mood, sleep, and concentration, highlighting the growing impact of digital overload on daily life.

Speaking at the event, Agapidaki stressed that “the survey results are truly alarming for our country and for our children, and we must act immediately. In the future, we will face a problem not only of mental health but also of democracy. We will have citizens unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, right from wrong. This is extremely serious. We cannot deprive a generation of the ability to think. We are talking about Greece — the country that gave birth to philosophy, democracy, and the importance of critical thinking. Therefore, this is not just a mental health issue. Health, education, and family are fundamental priorities for the government, and prevention and health promotion policies must begin at the core of society: the family and the school.”

Meanwhile, UNICEF’s diplomatic representative in Greece, Ghassan Khalil, emphasized children’s right to have a voice: “When a teenager can ask for help without fear or stigma, when a parent has the tools to better support their child, when a girl can openly and respectfully talk about menstruation — then we are taking a meaningful step toward a more inclusive and child-friendly society.”

The “invisible” digital crisis: Doomscrolling and mental health

The findings show that doomscrolling comes at a significant mental health cost. Three out of four young people experience the phenomenon, while 42% continue scrolling despite feeling anxious because of the content. More than half report that the habit harms their mood, sleep, and concentration.

As Agapidaki explained, “the research demonstrates that addiction to negative news directly impacts mental health. Children become trapped in a digital environment and essentially train their brains to consume increasingly negative content. This means that a child who is two years old today may, in a few years, struggle to develop critical thinking and basic problem-solving skills.”

Digital entrapment and the algorithm trap

According to the data, 89.2% of young people use social media daily, while 76.1% rely on it as their main source of information.

At the same time, 60.3% lose track of time while scrolling, and 81.3% acknowledge that platform algorithms intentionally reinforce this behavior.

Positive Parenting program (Triple P)

For the first time in Greece, a nationwide structured parenting support system was implemented.

A total of 231 primary healthcare professionals were trained to guide families, while 6,513 parents and caregivers participated in seminars, gaining practical tools to address parenting challenges.

Breaking the stigma: Community Center for Self-Harm

To address one of the most sensitive and often silent issues affecting young people, Greece established its first Community Center for Self-Harm for individuals aged 17–24.

A total of 2,607 professionals were trained in the early identification and management of self-harm cases.

So far, 429 individuals have already received support through the center’s services, while dozens of families have joined therapeutic programs.

Dignity in schools: Menstrual hygiene initiatives

A large-scale initiative also highlighted the importance of awareness and the elimination of stigma surrounding menstruation.

Educational programs were carried out in 2,521 schools involving 237,000 students.

In addition, 18 million menstrual hygiene products were distributed, directly benefiting more than 120,000 girls across the country.

The event concluded with an optimistic message, as new experiential programs promoting psychological resilience through music and creative expression were announced. These initiatives have already begun in 15 Music Schools across Greece, involving around 3,000 students.

The National Action for the Promotion of Child and Family Health is implemented by the Greek Ministry of Health with the support of UNICEF Greece and is funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility under the “Greece 2.0” program.