Social Media Bans for Teens 'Likely to Worsen' Mental Health, Warns Psychologist
Dr. Emma Clarke
A leading developmental psychologist argues that social media bans for under-16s could be counterproductive, diverting attention from the true causes of declining adolescent mental health. She suggests that factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and adult mental health issues are more significant contributors.
- Professor Candice Odgers believes bans on social media for under-16s are likely to make adolescent mental health worse.
- She challenges the prevailing narrative that social media is the primary driver of mental health decline in young people.
- Odgers points to wider issues such as economic recessions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and adult caregiver mental health as more impactful factors.
- She has given her own children smartphones and access to social media from age 11, contrary to some other expert opinions.
- Odgers suggests that 'scary stories' about tech's impact on children often overshadow nuanced scientific evidence.
The UK's decision to impose a social media ban for under-16s has been met with scepticism from developmental psychologist Professor Candice Odgers. With 25 years of research into adolescent mental health behind her, she warns that this approach may do more harm than good, diverting attention away from more pressing issues affecting young people.
Professor Odgers' analysis suggests that factors such as the pandemic's impact, economic uncertainty, and the mental wellbeing of adult caregivers play a significant role in the reported decline in adolescent well-being. The evidence also contradicts claims that mobile phones have fundamentally altered children's brains or that social media is the primary cause of mental health issues.
This view contrasts with that of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who has advocated for stricter controls and age restrictions. However, Professor Odgers' own approach to parenting differs, having provided her children with smartphones from the age of 11. She argues that politicians and parents are focusing on the wrong issues by attributing the youth mental health crisis predominantly to social media.
Professor Odgers has spent over a decade researching adolescents aged 10-14, collecting daily data from their phones, school records, sleep patterns, and online activities with their consent. Her extensive research suggests that while adolescent mental health has deteriorated since 2008, the causes are complex and multifaceted, extending far beyond social media use.
Why this matters: This debate directly impacts UK policy on children's online safety and mental health, challenging the Government's current approach to social media restrictions for young people. It encourages a broader look at the complex factors influencing adolescent well-being.
What this means for you: What this means for you: If you are a parent or guardian, this discussion highlights different perspectives on managing your children's technology use and encourages considering a wider range of factors that might influence their mental health. It also provides context for the ongoing debate around government intervention in online spaces.