Are the Kids Alright? — with Jonathan Haidt
Your Undivided Attention
Is There a Problem With Social Media and Impacts on Mental Health?
The advent of Facebook was initially about social utility and connecting with friends, but the current infinite scrolling feed and instant validation through likes is a stark contrast. The debate about the impacts of social media on mental health has often focused on 'screen time' and new technologies causing moral panics, similar to past fears about novels, radio, television, and video games. The introduction of touch screen technology, especially with the iPhone, has been highlighted as more addictive. When considering the rise in rates of depression and anxiety, the focus has shifted to understanding the input variables such as screen time and social media and their correlation with these mental health issues. Despite the association between social media and mental health, it is important to note that young people use smartphones for various activities, not just social media, and the exact cause of the increase in depression and anxiety, particularly among girls, remains a mystery.
