The debate about social media and children's mental health moved from academic circles to mainstream policy in 2024. Multiple governments moved to restrict children's access to social media platforms.
Australia passed legislation banning children under 16 from social media — one of the strictest such laws in the world. In the United States, Congress passed legislation strengthening online privacy protections for minors. State-level bills proliferated. The major platforms faced intense scrutiny.
The Evidence
Research by Jonathan Haidt, Jean Twenge, and others documented a sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and loneliness among teenagers — particularly girls — that correlated with the rise of smartphones and social media in the early 2010s. The research was contested but influential.
The Industry's Response
The major platforms denied that their products were harmful, pointed to conflicting research, and proposed voluntary measures. Critics argued that voluntary measures were insufficient given the platforms' financial incentives.
The conversation is urgent. The next generation's wellbeing is at stake. Real-world connection — in spaces like Fuego, at dinner tables, in parks — has never been more important.