Unplugging for Health: Reverse Mental Health Decline in Gen Z

A British journalist conducted a month-long digital detox experiment with her teenage sons and their friends, challenging them to go without smartphones. The teens experienced benefits, including increased focus, better sleep, and newfound independence, especially during an unsupervised camping trip. The experiment aligns with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s research linking smartphone use to rising anxiety and depression among teens. Haidt advocates for delaying smartphone and social media use until high school, emphasizing the need for more independence and real-world experiences for children. He believes implementing these changes could reverse the negative mental health trends seen in Gen Z.

Editor’s Note: Rising cases of ADHD, anxiety, and depression among young people are deeply concerning, and it’s becoming clear that excessive screen time plays a significant role. Unlike the superficial engagement provided by screens, lived experiences foster deeper learning, resilience, and social skills essential for healthy development. Childhood is a critical period when habits are formed that can shape a person’s entire life. Delaying smartphone and social media use, as suggested by experts, could be a vital step in reversing the troubling mental health trends we’re seeing in Generation Z. [See also: The Rise in ADHD Diagnoses Among U.S. Children]

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