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Innovating since 1843 – NTU celebrates 175th anniversary with London gathering and engaging talk on social media use by adolescents

The excessive and problematic use of social media in adolescence was the focus of an event in London highlighting NTU’s high-impact research, and celebrating its heritage of innovation since its foundation in 1843.

    Sir John Peace and Edward Peck
    Sir John Peace and Edward Peck

    The excessive and problematic use of social media in adolescence was the focus of an event in London highlighting NTU’s high-impact research, and celebrating its heritage of innovation since its foundation in 1843.

    Distinguished Professor Mark Griffiths presented research, which showed that a small minority of adolescents can experience negative physical (i.e. sleep deficits, poor dietary habits), social (i.e. loneliness, hostility), and psychological (i.e. anxiety, depression) consequences as a result of excessive and problematic social media use – symptoms which are more traditionally associated with substance-related addictions.

    Recommendations on how to tackle this increasing issue were made which included the establishment of a Working Party by the Department of Health, and the development of materials for inclusion in the National Curriculum.

    Mark’s talk was followed by a panel discussion featuring NTU colleagues Professor Griffiths and Dr Daria Kuss, alongside Dr Richard Graham, Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist, Technology Addiction Lead from Nightingale Hospital, Dr Barbie Clarke, Founder, Family Kids & Youth and Dr Jane Rigbye, Director of Education, GambleAware.

    Co-hosted by the Chancellor Sir John Peace, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors Neil Goulden, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Peck, the event was also an opportunity to mark an exceptional year for NTU, having been named both University of the Year 2017 by Times Higher Education and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide Modern University of the Year for 2018, as well as being awarded Gold Standard in the national Teaching Excellence Framework.

    The evening is part of a series of events bringing alumni and friends together and providing opportunities to hear about latest developments at NTU and get involved.

    Professor Edward Peck said: “NTU opened in 1843 to support the development of skills and innovations within the textiles industry in Nottingham. 175 years later the University continues to have a wide and profound impact on students, businesses and society at many different levels.

    Our reputation is rooted in our teaching and learning excellence, and our research continues to address real challenges, deliver new approaches, and drive change. It is the kind of research that enables innovation and impacts upon all of our lives.

    We’re proud of our heritage, and this event celebrates all we have achieved, as well as our ambitious plans for the future.”

    Published on 8 May 2018
    • Category: Press office