The Latest Breaking News from Jonathan Haidt

As governments worldwide move to restrict teenagers’ access to smartphones and social media, a fierce scientific debate has erupted over whether these digital technologies actually harm young people’s mental health.

The Harvard ethicist and author on the similarities between digital technology and religion, the value of scepticism, and how to develop a positive relationship with our devices

“If you can’t say no to a cupcake, you’re not going to be able to say no to TikTok,” says psychologist Becky Kennedy, a.k.a. Dr. Becky.

Prince Harry has said that he believes smartphones are "stealing young people's childhood".

The smartphone is "stealing young people's childhood," Prince Harry said.

A recent study by The Harris Poll demonstrates that large percentages of Gen Z wish social media apps such as TikTok, X, Snapchat and Instagram didn't exist.

TikTok and X were the platforms most young people regretted having in their lives.

As long as academic institutions place social justice goals ahead of truth seeking and knowledge creation, they will lose the respect of the public and will not live up to their potential.

Parents concerned about the possible dangers smartphone use might have for their children are turning to “dumb phones”. These are the brick-shaped or flip phones today’s parents might have had themselves as teenagers, only capable of making calls or sending text messages and lacking access to social media apps.

Rates of mental ill health among young people are on the rise. Between the years 2020 and 2022, 39% of Australians aged 16 to 24 had a mental disorder in the previous year, compared to 26% in that age range in 2007, and 27% of those aged 18–24 in 1997.

Tips for fostering screen time for media creation rather than media consumption in children, from NYU technology and gaming professor Jan Plass