Huberman Lab

Dr. Jonathan Haidt: How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions

Jun 10, 2024

Dr. Jonathan Haidt discusses the impact of smartphones and social media on mental health, emphasizing challenges in psychological development, differences in boys and girls, neurobiological mechanisms of smartphones, and recommendations for healthier smartphone use in kids. The podcast also covers restoring childhood independence, exploring dopamine reinforcement, gender differences in online activities, and promoting mental health through engaging offline activities.

02:26:55

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Episode guests

Jonathan Haidt

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Smartphone use impacts boys and girls differently, affecting critical development areas.

Boys lacking real-world experiences struggle with initiative, risk-taking, and self-confidence.

High accessibility of pornography through smartphones can disrupt natural sexual development for boys.

Extended smartphone and social media use deprives children of essential conflict resolution skills.

Establishing policies that limit phone usage in schools benefit students' attention and mental well-being.

Deep dives

Boys and Girls Experience Different Effects of Smartphone Use

Smartphone use impacts boys and girls differently, affecting critical development areas. Boys are drawn to war and sex-related content, fostering a craving for instant gratifications and potentially hindering real-world social and relationship skills. In contrast, girls tend to engage more with social media, intensifying relationships and social dynamics online. The rapid access to stimulating content without effort can lead to the development of addictive behaviors and a lack of real-world skill building.

The Importance of Social Interaction for Children's Social Development

03:31

Shift from Play-based Childhood to Phone-based Childhood

01:21

Three Generators of Current Dynamics: Loss of Community/Trust, Play, Rise in Smartphones

00:40

The Impact of Screens on Children

04:04

Intro

4min

The AeroPress Coffee Maker and Juve Red Light Therapy Devices

3min

Impact of Smartphones and Social Media on Mental Health

6min

Rising Mental Health Concerns in Adolescents

8min

Evolution of Play-Based Childhood and Fear of Child Abduction

7min

Exploring the Evolution of Technology and its Impact on Society

4min

Gender Differences and Interests in Online Activities

12min

Understanding Dopamine Reinforcement and Its Impact on Behavior

17min

Exploring the Significance of Hydration and Electrolytes with Element Sponsorship

2min

10.

Navigating Male Hierarchies and Online Interactions

22min

11.

Puberty, Brain Development, and the Impact of Social Media

25min

12.

Promoting Mental Health in Children through Engaging Activities

14min

13.

The Impact of Social Media on Youth and Collective Action for Change

24min

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D., professor of social psychology at New York University and bestselling author on how technology and culture impact the psychology and health of kids, teens, and adults. We discuss the dramatic rise of suicide, depression, and anxiety as a result of replacing a play-based childhood with smartphones, social media, and video games.

He explains how a screen-filled childhood leads to challenges in psychological development that negatively impact learning, resilience, identity, cooperation, and conflict resolution — all of which are crucial skills for future adult relationships and career success. We also discuss how phones and social media impact boys and girls differently and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of how smartphones alter basic brain plasticity and function.

Dr. Haidt explains his four recommendations for healthier smartphone use in kids, and we discuss how to restore childhood independence and play in the current generation.

This is an important topic for everyone, young or old, parents and teachers, students and families, to be aware of in order to understand the potential mental health toll of smartphone use and to apply tools to foster skill-building and reestablish healthy norms for our kids.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman

AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/huberman

Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Timestamps

00:00:00 Dr. Jonathan Haidt

00:02:01 Sponsors: Helix Sleep, AeroPress & Joovv

00:06:23 Great Rewiring of Childhood: Technology, Smartphones & Social Media

00:12:48 Mental Health Trends: Boys, Girls & Smartphones

00:16:26 Smartphone Usage, Play-Based to Phone-Based Childhood

00:20:40 The Tragedy of Losing Play-Based Childhood

00:28:13 Sponsor: AG1

00:30:02 Girls vs. Boys, Interests & Trapping Kids

00:37:31 “Effectance,” Systems & Relationships, Animals

00:41:47 Boys Sexual Development, Dopamine Reinforcement & Pornography

00:49:19 Boys, Courtship, Chivalry & Technology; Gen Z Development

00:55:24 Play & Low-Stakes Mistakes, Video Games & Social Media, Conflict Resolution

00:59:48 Sponsor: LMNT

01:01:23 Social Media, Trolls, Performance

01:06:47 Dynamic Subordination, Hierarchy, Boys

01:10:15 Girls & Perfectionism, Social Media & Performance

01:14:00 Phone-Based Childhood & Brain Development, Critical Periods

01:21:15 Puberty & Sensitive Periods, Culture & Identity

01:23:55 Brain Development & Puberty; Identity; Social Media, Learning & Reward

01:33:37 Tool: 4 Recommendations for Smartphone Use in Kids

01:41:48 Changing Childhood Norms, Policies & Legislature

01:49:13 Summer Camp, Team Sports, Religion, Music

01:54:36 Boredom, Addiction & Smartphones; Tool: “Awe Walks”

02:03:14 Casino Analogy & Ceding Childhood; Social Media Content

02:09:33 Adult Behavior; Tool: Meals & Phones

02:11:45 Regaining Childhood Independence; Tool: Family Groups & Phones

02:16:09 Screens & Future Optimism, Collective Action, KOSA Bill

02:24:52 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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Huberman Lab

Dr. Jonathan Haidt: How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Boys and Girls Experience Different Effects of Smartphone Use

Increased Smartphone Usage Hurts Social and Relationship Development

Negative Impact of Pornography on Male Sexual Development

Effects of Social Media on Conflict Resolution Skills

Banning Smartphone Use for Children

Delaying Social Media Access

Implementing Phone-Free Schools

Encouraging Independence, Play, and Responsibility

The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Youth

Collective Action to Address the Challenges of Screen Time

The Importance of Social Interaction for Children's Social Development

Shift from Play-based Childhood to Phone-based Childhood

Three Generators of Current Dynamics: Loss of Community/Trust, Play, Rise in Smartphones

The Impact of Screens on Children

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

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Huberman Lab

Dr. Jonathan Haidt: How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Boys and Girls Experience Different Effects of Smartphone Use

Increased Smartphone Usage Hurts Social and Relationship Development

Negative Impact of Pornography on Male Sexual Development

Effects of Social Media on Conflict Resolution Skills

Banning Smartphone Use for Children

Delaying Social Media Access

Implementing Phone-Free Schools

Encouraging Independence, Play, and Responsibility

The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Youth

Collective Action to Address the Challenges of Screen Time

The Importance of Social Interaction for Children's Social Development

Shift from Play-based Childhood to Phone-based Childhood

Three Generators of Current Dynamics: Loss of Community/Trust, Play, Rise in Smartphones

The Impact of Screens on Children

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

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