Impact of Smartphone and Social Media Usage on Teen Mental Health

SOURCE www.cnn.com
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt advocates for limiting children's access to smartphones and social media until age 16 to address the epidemic of mental illness among teens. He highlights the dangers of excessive screen time and calls for action to protect young people's mental health.

Key Points

  • Excessive screen time is linked to rising rates of mental health issues among American tweens and teens
  • Social media platforms are criticized for being inherently unsafe for children by the American Psychological Association
  • Jonathan Haidt proposes four norms to address the crisis, including delaying smartphone and social media access until high school

Pros

  • Raises awareness about the negative impact of excessive smartphone and social media usage on teenage mental health
  • Provides practical solutions and guidelines for parents to protect their children from the harmful effects of technology

Cons

  • Some may question the feasibility and practicality of completely restricting children's access to smartphones and social media