What if social media isn’t hurting kids?

The article revisits Jonathan Haidt’s influential argument in The Anxious Generation that smartphones and social media are a major cause of worsening teen mental health. It frames the growing backlash against platforms alongside researchers who question whether the evidence supports such a direct causal link.

The debate highlights how quickly a compelling narrative can shape policy, litigation, and public opinion even when the science remains contested. If the link is weaker or more complex than claimed, governments may need to focus less on broad bans and more on targeted youth safety interventions.