The Morning Brief Lessons from Adolescence: Phones and Mental Health
Apr 8, 2025
Dr. Victoria Goodyear, an Associate Professor in Physical Activity, Sports & Health at the University of Birmingham, sheds light on the intricate relationship between smartphones and adolescent mental health. She discusses her research on phone policies in schools, revealing that bans don’t necessarily improve well-being. Emphasizing digital education, she calls for age-appropriate tech design and collaboration among schools, tech companies, and policymakers to support healthier development for youths in a digital era. Victoria's insights challenge conventional approaches, advocating for a nuanced understanding of technology's role.
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Smartphones and Mental Health
- Adolescent mental health issues are rising, coinciding with increased smartphone and social media use.
- The connection isn't straightforward, prompting a study by Victoria Goodyear on phone bans in schools.
Study Methodology
- Goodyear's study compared schools with and without phone bans, examining various student outcomes.
- Data included phone/social media usage, mental health, physical activity, sleep, behavior, and academic performance.
Key Findings
- The study found no significant difference in outcomes between schools with and without phone bans.
- Increased phone/social media use correlated with worse outcomes across all areas, suggesting time spent is key.