The Rising Concern About Children’s Mental Health

Since 2012, there’s been what some are calling a “mental health catastrophe” among children. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt suggests this crisis stems from overprotecting kids in the real world. He argues that limiting their opportunities to play and develop independence, along with insufficient safeguards online, have contributed to this troubling trend.

With so many apps vying for a child’s attention, the problem seems particularly urgent now. Haidt reflects, “There are countless documents revealing how these platforms are aware of the harm they cause and the addiction they create. They are intentionally designed to keep kids engaged at all costs—because if they don’t, those kids will turn to a competitor.”

He feels that the consensus on this issue should be much clearer. He points out, “The hesitation to act reminds me of how the tobacco industry handled similar issues decades ago.”

In Haidt’s view, platforms like TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat are systematically harming children—he goes as far as to label them “industries of evil.” He underscores the scale of the issue, stating, “We’re not just talking about a handful of kids; we’re looking at tens of millions impacted and actually thousands of lives lost.”

This concern extends beyond just attention spans. Children’s ability to learn through mistakes has suffered, particularly during their formative adolescent years. Haidt notes that this period is critical for brain development, where it’s essential for teens to engage in real-world experiences. If they don’t, it could prevent their brains from wiring properly for adulthood.

Looking ahead, he expresses worry: “Based on these patterns, we can predict they’ll be more anxious and vulnerable in the future.” He emphasizes, “We haven’t allowed them to build resilience or experience challenges.” But he believes that this issue pales in comparison to what he’s identified as a major hurdle for young people today.

“I think the most significant challenge is the degradation of attention span. Many young individuals struggle to focus on anything for even 10 or 15 minutes,” he adds. And it’s not just about attention—it’s also affecting their enjoyment of film and literature. “Can you think of a world where reading books becomes a rarity, replaced entirely by TikTok?”

Haidt mentions notable social changes as well, pointing out how marriage and sexual relationships have declined, especially among younger generations. “Millennials were already seeing a decrease in these areas, and Gen Z is experiencing an even steeper decline. Boys, particularly those exposed to pornography, are developing poor social skills and engaging less in traditional flirting,” he explains. “And for girls, the impact is pronounced too; anxiety levels are rising, which doesn’t bode well for future relationships.”