MARBLEHEAD CARES: Navigating anxiety in today’s teens

The mental health of adolescents is emerging as one of the most significant public health concerns in the post-pandemic world. Prominent health organizations like the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have declared a crisis in children’s and adolescents’ mental health. This situation is generating considerable debate at many levels about the root causes and, most importantly, regarding the potential solutions.

The role of phones in adolescent anxiety

Jonathan Haidt, a New York University social psychologist, is one of those who have been actively addressing this issue. His latest book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” has rapidly gained attention for its insights into the impact of digital culture on our youth. Haidt summarizes its message in two sentences: “We have overprotected children in the real world, and we have underprotected them in the virtual world.” He is concerned that the phone-based childhood is replacing the traditional, play-based learning experience with significant consequences for healthy development and maturation.

Understanding the impact of phone use on our teens

 Haidt identifies four key areas of concern regarding excessive screen time and phone use:

— Social deprivation: Teens are missing out on face-to-face interactions, crucial for emotional and social development.

— Sleep deprivation: Good sleep habits are vital for everyone’s health and well-being. Excessive screen time is affecting sleep patterns of many teens.

— Attention fragmentation: Constant digital notifications disrupt sustained attention, affecting learning and increasing stress levels.

— Addiction: The compelling design of social media platforms can lead to addictive behaviors.

Females and males show different patterns of response to phone use

Because females and males are not identical physiologically, they can, and often do, respond differently to the potential harms of excessive screen time.

— Females: Girls spend more time on social media platforms which can encourage negative self-images and lead to harmful social comparisons. As a result, they are much more likely to demonstrate isolation, anxiety and depression. They also are much more subject to sexual harassment and attacks by internet predators.

— Males: Boys use video games to substitute for play-based risk taking. As a result, they can be less well-prepared for the normal risks and challenges of becoming young adults in the real world. Boys also show much greater use of internet pornography, which may retard their social, sexual and romantic development.

Practical steps for parents

Haidt recommends several practices to mitigate the potential harms from excessive phone use:

1. Promote real-world interactions: Encourage teens to engage in local community activities, sports and clubs that foster real-life connections and face-to-face contact.
2. Establish tech-free zones and times: Implement rules that restrict the use of smartphones during family meals, before bedtime and while studying.
3. Monitor and set boundaries: Use content filters and monitor phone usage to protect against inappropriate content and excessive use, especially for younger teens.
4. Encourage physical activity and outdoor play: Support and facilitate outdoor play, which has been displaced by digital entertainment but is crucial for physical and mental health.
5. Educate about the risks: Discuss the potential negative impacts of excessive phone use with your children to make them mindful about their own screen time.

Community and school involvement

Beyond individual parental actions, schools and community-wide initiatives can reinforce these practices:

— Phone-free schools: To enhance focus and reduce distractions, Haidt advocates making schools phone-free for the entire school day and not just in individual classes.

— Enhanced recreational facilities: Schools and communities can work with local government to improve or create public spaces that encourage physical activity and social interaction among teens.

— Vocational and educational programs: Programs that offer practical skills and alternative learning environments should be encouraged. These can be particularly beneficial for teens less inclined toward traditional academic paths.

Important government actions

At the highest level, government should support major preventive strategies and public health policies:

— Accountability: Tech companies should be held responsible for the harm their devices cause when the harm is documented. (The U.K. is moving in this direction and other nations are considering this as well.)

— Limit access to the youngest teens: The age when children can have their own phones and obtain apps should be raised from 13 to 16, and age verification practices should be strengthened.

— Child-friendly spaces: More and better real-world learning can be incentivized by encouraging more play in schools, designing more public spaces with children in mind and developing more vocational education programs.

Conclusion

The current generation of teens faces unique challenges to their mental health which must be addressed with the highest levels of urgency. There are several meaningful proactive practices available to families, schools and communities, and government agencies that can help foster a healthier, more balanced upbringing for children in this increasingly digital world.

This column is part of a Marblehead Current and Marblehead Mental Health Task Force partnership. Dr. Thomas Massaro is a Marblehead resident and retired physician.