New research has revealed a “perfect storm” is leading to a dramatic rise in school students addicted to social media, with usage soaring more than 200 per cent since the pandemic began.

A University of South Australia study tracking more than 14,000 students aged 11 to 14 found young people’s online obsession has now hit record levels, leaving parents fearing the impact on Australia’s most impressionable minds.

The alarming figures show daily social media use has leaped from 26 per cent before the pandemic to a staggering 85 per cent by 2022.

Authorities are calling it a “perfect storm”, saying lockdowns and social distancing measures left young people with little chance of avoiding the digital trap.

“We have allowed a generation of young people to be the guinea pigs for this technolo

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