Research on social media and mental health primarily focuses on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, while newer platforms like TikTok and short-form videos lack substantial research. The speaker warns parents to be cautious about allowing their children access to short-form videos, noting that they are perceived as the worst type of social media by many students. Unlike stories, which have always been integral to human culture, short-form videos are designed to provide quick dopamine hits with little to no redeeming value, potentially leading to time wastage and negative impacts on mental health.
Is everything going to hell in a handcart because of smartphones and social media? In this episode, I sit down with NYU professor and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt to tackle this burning question.
Dr. Haidt makes a compelling case that our addiction to these devices is wreaking havoc on society, from mental health crises to political turmoil. But is it really all the smartphone’s fault? I'm not so sure it's quite that simple, so I wanted to dive deeper into the nuances.
We get into the nitty-gritty and I challenge some of Haidt’s claims, exploring questions like, why do these issues seem to hit the English-speaking world the hardest? Is this another moral panic, or is this time really different? We also discuss the differences in how smartphones affect various demographics and cultures, and why understanding these distinctions is crucial. Plus, we explore Jonathan’s practical and highly sensible recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a die-hard believer, this episode will make you rethink your relationship with the technology in our pockets.
Let's do this.
Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR by going to mudwtr.com/IDGAF #mudwtrpod
Get 10% off your first month of therapy at BetterHelp.com/IDGAF