Mental health issues have been on the rise among American youth since the mid-2000s. If you ask anyone why, they'll probably tell you it's because of social media.
And they're not completely wrong. Parallel to adolescent depression and anxiety, social media use is also on the rise.
However, according to Dr. Leonard Sachs, a physician, psychologist, and best-selling author, this trend is “limited to children in English-speaking countries in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.”
“Greek children and Russian children alike have smartphones and are more likely to use social media, but we don't see an increase in anxiety or depression there,” he says. . Allie Beth Stuckey.
Why is there a contradiction?
According to Dr. Sacks, the answer lies in our toxic culture.
“It's important for parents to understand that smartphones and social media are vectors. They are propagating this harmful culture, but they are not the cause themselves,” he explains. “What is harmful about American culture and English-speaking culture? that It's causing an increase in anxiety and depression. ”
What is so harmful about English-speaking culture?
Well, the list is long, but Dr. Sacks says the research pinpoints the core of the problem. Interestingly, the answer can be found in the evolution of children's television programming.
Dr. Sachs pointed to a study conducted by UCLA in which researchers “examined the most popular television programs marketed to children and teens in each decade starting in 1967 and We analyzed these TV shows based on what they teach children.” important. ”
According to the study, the most popular family TV show in 1967 was “The Andy Griffith Show.” In 1977 it was “Happy Days.” In 1987 it was “Family Ties.” In 1997, it became “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.''
“Researchers found that each of these shows (from 1967 to 1997) conveyed the same message: The most important thing is to do the right thing, which means telling the truth even if it hurts.” “It's about talking to each other and being good friends even when you're not,” Dr. Sacks says.
But by 2007, that message was abandoned and replaced with something entirely different. The message conveyed through popular shows like “American Idol'' and “Survivor'' was that winning and being famous, not doing the right thing, were most important.
“If you do the right thing, you'll be voted off the island,” says Dr. Sacks, explaining the culture change.
What changed American culture is the next obvious question.
Dr. Sacks says it's a three-part answer.
1. Social media
“Social media has changed American culture. Suddenly, it's all about getting more likes and followers,” Dr. Sacks said, adding that this has created a “culture of envy” that fosters dissatisfaction and resentment, resulting in It added that mental health problems among adolescents had increased.
Like every generation, today's youth aspire to greatness. But social media has taught them that the answer lies in fame and visibility. This idea is the exact opposite of what greatness once meant to the average person.
Fifty years ago, greatness was defined by a different standard. It wasn't about popularity or winning. It was about values. The culture of the past is expressed in the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. “Anyone can be great because anyone can serve,” Dr. Sacks says.
Today, only a small percentage of social media users become influencers, and the majority are constantly disappointed and feel inadequate.
2. A culture of contempt
Our modern culture normalizes children's disrespect for and rebellion against their parents, Dr. Sacks explains.
“These Disney Channel shows teach kids that being rebellious and rude is cute and funny,” he says.
The same goes for popular music. Songs like Lil Nas X's “Old Town Road” capture this widespread atmosphere of defiance.
“Nobody's gonna tell me anything,” he says eight times in the song.
“In a nutshell, this is a culture of contempt,” Dr. Sacks said, adding that this attitude among young people “breaks generational bonds” and makes children less likely to attend church. He pointed out that he is no longer interested in spending time with wise older people. to provide.
3. “Normophobia”
“Fifteen years ago, American girls wanted to be effortlessly perfect,” Dr. Sacks says. However, today's girls and young women perceive perfection as boring.
“Come on, there has to be something wrong with you,” he said, pointing out that depression, anxiety, and even being transgender are popular labels.
“'Now, the trouble with trying to make yourself dumber than you really are is that you very often succeed,' says Dr. Sacks, quoting C.S. Lewis's 'The Magician's Nephew.' .
Today's girls are “substituting anxiety and depression for 'stupid,'” he explains, noting that Lewis' children's proverb has proven true. It turns out that if you believe yourself to be anxious or depressed, you naturally become anxious or depressed.
Fear of “being normal,” combined with the coining and circulation of new language such as gender conforming vs. gender nonconforming, neurotypical vs. neurodivergent, has led children to associate their identities with negative language. Ta. And belief turns this negative word into a real situation.
To learn more about Dr. Sachs' research on this topic, watch the episode above.
Want more information about Allie Beth Stuckey?
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