An enlightening article published over the weekend in The Australian newspaper drew attention to Jonathan Haidt’s groundbreaking research, as discussed in his book The Anxious Generation. As a distinguished psychologist, Haidt underscores a critical concern: the significant influence of smart devices and parenting approaches on the developmental trajectory of our children, especially during the vulnerable stage of puberty.
In recent years, there has been an alarming surge in teenage mental illness, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones since the early 2010s. Haidt’s research unveils how tech companies have effectively “rewired childhood and changed human development on an almost unimaginable scale” by inundating youngsters with a “firehose of addictive content”, displacing physical play and face-to-face socialising. Haidt’s assertion that “Thirteen-year-olds should not be scrolling through endless posts from influencers and other strangers when their brains are in such an open state, searching for exemplars to lock onto” resonates deeply with the challenges our youth face in navigating the digital world.
Some of the statistics Haidt cites are truly alarming—one study found that young people receive an average of 192 notifications on their phones each day. With such constant distractions, it’s no wonder that concentration becomes a struggle for many.
The decision, some years ago, to implement a ban on phones during the day at Marist reflects a growing recognition of these issues. However, the broader question persists: how do parents effectively manage screen time at home and during holidays? It’s a contest that confronts many on a daily basis.
One of the most challenging aspects for parents is the pressure to conform to societal norms, especially when it comes to allowing their children access to smartphones and social media platforms. It's often difficult to say no when every other child seems to be online, and the fear of social exclusion looms large. Moreover, the children most vulnerable to the addictive features of social media and gaming apps are likely to resist the most fiercely.
As parents, we must recognize our role in modeling healthy technology use. I recently witnessed a young boy sitting bored at a restaurant table, clearly wanting to talk, being ignored by another child and two adults all staring at their screens. It was a stark illustration of the detrimental effects of unchecked technology use on human connection.
Haidt's research serves as yet another resounding wake-up call. While we may acknowledge in passing that our phones aren't ideal for us, Haidt's research powerfully outlines their true costs in such excruciating detail. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye any longer. It's imperative that we confront these findings head-on and take decisive action to safeguard the well-being of our children.
What they're saying: Haidt offers four controversial suggestions:
- No smartphones for kids before high school — give them only flip phones in middle school.
- No social media before age 16.
- Make schools phone-free, by putting devices in phone lockers or Yondr pouches.
- Give kids far more free play and independence, including more and better recess.
By the numbers: The "teen mental illness epidemic began around 2012," Haidt asserts, presenting ample research to back it up.
- The numbers started rising noticeably in 2010 — three years after the introduction of the iPhone.
- Rates of depression and anxiety among U.S. adolescents were "fairly stable in the 2000s" but "rose by more than 50% in many studies from 2010 to 2019," Haidt writes in The Atlantic.
- The suicide rate rose 48% for adolescents ages 10 to 19. For girls ages 10 to 14, it rose a staggering 131%.
Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster
