OPINION Sharply restricting kids’ use of digital media is linked with problematic internet use - but it is still unclear why. A conversation about potential links between smartphones and digital media and the ongoing teen mental health crisis has reached a fever pitch. Research does not definitively show that excessive screen time causes teen anxiety or depression, though research is ongoing.
Still, in June 2024, the U. surgeon general called for warning labels to be placed on social media, stating that “the mental health crisis among young people is an emergency - and social media has emerged as an important contributor.” But some researchers are expressing concerns that these warnings are too broad.
Still, it’s no wonder that parents feel pressured to do something - anything - to reduce the risks..
