Why smartphones and social media are bad for kids

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Hi Everyone and Welcome Back!

This week on The Nick Halaris Show we are featuring Zach Rausch, an Associate Research Scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business and the lead researcher for social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s new book “The Anxious Generation.” Zach’s research for the book, both convincing and frightening, marks a major contribution to a critical, ongoing conversation about the health of our kids and, ultimately, our nation. 

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I wanted to have Zach on the show to highlight the important ideas outlined in “The Anxious Generation” and dive deeper into the story. I’ve become increasingly concerned that technologies like smartphones and social media, things we just accept and take for granted these days, might not actually be all that good for us. Tune in to this important lesson to learn:

• What the data is telling us about shocking decline in mental health for kids and young people around the world

• Just why things like push notifications and the like-button work so well and why that’s a problem, especially for kids

• What the hook formula is and how social media companies used it to design incredibly addictive products

• Why not all screen time is created equal and parents should be very careful with smartphones and social media

• Why it’s imperative that technology companies be accountable for the damage caused by their products

• How parents, schools, and government can work together to make things better for kids by pursuing 4 simple strategies: no smartphones until high school, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and fostering more unsupervised play and childhood independence

   &

• Much, much more

Zach and I also discuss why there might be an even bigger problem here, one that impacts our communities and our democracy itself. Stay tuned to the end to hear why, despite all the bad data and trends, Zach remains optimistic we can right the ship. 

As always, I hope you all enjoy this episode. Thanks for tuning in! 

Ps. 

For more information about “The Anxious Generation” click here

For more information about Let Grow and the play-based childhood movement click here 

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Summary

The conversation explores the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young people. The guest, Zach Rausch, discusses the research behind the book 'The Anxious Generation' and the reasons for the decline in mental health among adolescents. They also delve into the negative effects of social media on adults and the erosion of community and connection in the digital age. The conversation highlights the importance of shared suffering and noble pursuits in building authentic communities, and the dangers of the virtual world replacing real-world interactions. They also discuss the specific features of social media, such as the like button and push notifications, that contribute to anxiety and social comparison. The conversation explores the impact of smartphones and social media on mental health, particularly among adolescents. It discusses the addictive nature of these platforms and the role of push notifications in driving constant engagement. The conversation also touches on the responsibility of tech companies and the need for policy changes to protect young users. The book offers four main reforms: no smartphones until high school, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and promoting a play-based childhood. These reforms aim to address the collective action trap and provide a healthier relationship with technology.
 

Takeaways

• Social media has had a significant impact on the decline of mental health among young people, particularly adolescents.

• The virtual world created by social media lacks the depth and authenticity of real-world interactions, leading to feelings of emptiness and disconnection.

• Shared suffering and noble pursuits are essential for building authentic communities and meaningful connections.

• Features like the like button and push notifications on social media contribute to anxiety and social comparison.

• Not all screen time is created equal, and social media has a more negative impact on mental health compared to other forms of screen time. Smartphones and social media have a significant impact on mental health, especially among adolescents.

• Push notifications play a role in driving addictive behavior and constant engagement with these platforms.

• Tech companies have a responsibility to address the negative effects of their products and make necessary changes.

• Four main reforms are proposed: no smartphones until high school, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and promoting a play-based childhood.

• These reforms aim to address the collective action trap and provide a healthier relationship with technology.

Titles

• The Dangers of the Virtual World

• Shared Suffering and Noble Pursuits The Addictive Nature of Push Notifications

• Four Reforms for a Healthier Relationship with Technology

Sound Bites

• "We are more connected to more people than ever before, but we're more lonely than ever before."

• "The real world is not like the world of no consequences in their head."

• "Having a like button is not terrible, but it quantifies our own worth and leads to constant public judgment and social comparison."

• "We developed this very strong association where eventually I no longer need the vibration to go and check the phone. I just suddenly start to do it."

• "I still sort of have wrestled, like I mentioned at the beginning, I've still wrestled with picking up my phone, checking email, checking texts."

• "Even though the phone has completely captured us, right? Like if you look at the data, people are spending whatever, 40 hours a week on their device, if not more."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview

• 09:43 The Impact on Adults

• 15:18 The Shift from Play-Based Childhood to Phone-Based Childhood

• 27:37 The Addictive Nature of Social Media

• 33:47 The Negative Effects of the Like Button

• 36:25 The Hook Formula and Psychological Manipulation

• 37:50 The Impact of Smartphones and Social Media

• 40:08 The Addictive Nature of Push Notifications

• 42:52 The Responsibility of Tech Companies and the Need for Reforms

• 46:12 The Importance of a Play-Based Childhood

• 50:13 The Call for Collective Action and Policy Changes