A Social Psychologist Advocates for Parents to Keep Smartphones away From Children in Order to Safeguard their Mental Well-Being
Source: Fox News
Introduction:
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt highlights the detrimental effects of smartphones on teenagers’ mental health, emphasizing the need for parental intervention. He suggests strategies to mitigate these effects and safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
Overview:
- Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” advocates for delaying smartphone use until high school, citing the vulnerability of middle schoolers’ developing brains.
- He urges parents to provide flip phones for communication instead of smartphones, drawing parallels to a healthier era before smartphone dominance.
- Haidt also warns against the harmful influence of social media.
- He notes a concerning rise in depression and self-harm among teenage girls, correlating it with increased social media exposure.
- Additionally, he highlights boys’ detachment from real-world activities due to excessive screen time, leading to worsened mental health.
Conclusion:
Haidt concludes by recommending smartphone-free school environments and promoting real-world engagement to combat the negative impacts of technology. These measures, he suggests, are essential for nurturing a mentally healthier and more resilient generation.
To read more, click the link: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/a-social-psychologist-advocates-for-parents-to-keep-smartphones-away-from-children-in-order-to-safeguard-their-mental-well-being/
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