Outcry Over NYU’s Commencement Speaker Choice

Students and activists expressed strong disapproval when New York University (NYU) announced that Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist known for researching the negative impacts of social media, would deliver the commencement speech.

Critics, particularly from left-leaning groups, argue that choosing Haidt undermines the accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2026 and reflects a misreading of the current social climate. A statement from the group “Fight for the Future” described Haidt as a “fear monger,” citing his research that links social media usage among youth to a broader mental health crisis.

In a tweet, activist Amber Duke highlighted the passionate protests against Haidt, labeling him a prominent figure in what she calls “modern moral panic” and accusing him of presenting skewed research that harms children’s access to the Internet.

Despite repeated requests, Haidt has not responded to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“Why would his presence spark protests?” posed Sarah Phillips, campaign director for Fight for Our Future. “It’s because he leads these modern moral panics, using controversial studies to promote policies that strip away young people’s freedoms.”

Phillips criticized Haidt’s book for perpetuating “right-wing talking points,” accusing him of being manipulative in his commentary on America’s youth. “He’s been a vocal critic of young people’s Internet usage, which right-wing factions exploit to curtail their online liberties,” she said.

Haidt, who has identified himself as a centrist Democratic voter, previously testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee advocating for regulations targeting social media’s use by minors, and he supports age-appropriate content regulations.

“He has abused his platform to push for censorship measures that adversely affect LGBTQ youth globally,” Phillips asserted.

Furthermore, she related this situation to previous incidents where NYU graduates were reprimanded for voicing unpopular opinions, referencing a student whose diploma was withheld for delivering a controversial speech at his graduation.

An unsourced letter from NYU’s student government also expressed significant disappointment in the selection of Haidt as the speaker. The letter criticized his suitability in a time marked by challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating that many students felt let down and embarrassed by what should have been a moment of celebration.

“Since the announcement of his selection, we have seen a range of emotions from students—disappointment, disgust, and a sense of defeat. This should have been a joyous occasion, but it’s turned into another misstep,” the letter noted.