Children from families with low social status and income more often suffer from addiction to social networks, than other peers. These findings came to a team of European and Canadian scientists in a study involving almost 180 thousand adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years from 43 countries, Naked Science reported.

The degree of dependence on social networks was calculated using a questionnaire. The status of the family was determined by the size of the house, the number of vacations abroad and other indicators. Social support, help from relatives and the country's well-being were also taken into account.

"Our findings expand the existing literature on the detrimental impact of inequalities in different social contexts on adolescent wellbeing by showing the role of inequalities in the engagement in PSMU," said study's lead author, Michela Lenzi.