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

Huberman Lab

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Importance of Social Skills in Child Development

Developing social skills through childhood experiences like playing with siblings and interacting with peers in unstructured play helps children learn crucial skills for democracy, such as making rules together, resolving conflicts, and accepting judgments. Natural play without adult interference fosters essential social skills in children, teaching them to govern themselves and work out disputes. In contrast, reliance on video games and social media limits children's opportunities to develop these skills, leading to potential negative consequences like escalation of conflicts, public shaming, and mental health issues. The shift towards solitary screen-based childhood experiences raises concerns about the lack of social interaction and development of empathy among children, highlighting the importance of fostering stable relationships in small groups for healthy social development and well-being.

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