The article examines Jonathan Haidt's thesis that smartphones and social media are primary drivers of declining teen mental health, while exploring counterarguments challenging that causal link. It contextualizes his influential book within ongoing debates over regulating digital technology for young people.
Background
Jonathan Haidt's 2024 book The Anxious Generation sparked global discussion and policy action on youth mental health and screen time. Critics argue his causal claims oversimplify complex developmental factors and correlation-causation distinctions in longitudinal data.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Sep 16, 2026 at 04:13 AM
- Score
- 8.0 / 10