Is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?
This article critically examines the popular idea, particularly highlighted in Jonathan Haidt's book, that social media is the primary driver of a teenage mental health crisis. The author, Candice L. Odgers, argues that scientific evidence does not strongly support the claim that digital technology directly causes widespread mental illness in adolescents. Instead, she suggests that focusing solely on screen time might distract from addressing more complex and fundamental factors contributing to youth anxiety and depression, such as economic hardship, social issues, and insufficient mental health resources. The piece ultimately emphasizes the need for evidence-based solutions to support a generation genuinely facing mental health challenges.