Author Urges Parents to Shield Children from Negative Mental Health Effects of Phones

Renowned author Jonathan Haidt emphasizes the importance of protecting children from the detrimental impact of smartphones on their mental health.

Haidt highlights the historical context of childhood, stating, “Human beings had a play-based childhood from time immemorial.” He pinpoints a concerning trend correlating with the proliferation of smartphones, noting, “What caused teen mental health decline is between 2010 and 2015, phones, screens come sweeping in.”

According to Haidt, one of the most crucial steps parents can take is to delay their child’s immersion into internet culture. This intervention, he suggests, may mitigate the negative effects associated with excessive screen time and smartphone usage on children’s mental well-being.