Experts are debating what causes the decline in young people's mental health. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues in his popular book, The Anxious Generation, that smartphones and social media are the main reasons for rising anxiety and depression among teenagers since 2010. His work has inspired policies such as Australia's nationwide social media ban for teenagers.
However, psychology researcher Peter Gray offers a different explanation in his new book, Restoring Childhood. Gray argues that teen mental health has declined mainly because children have lost independence and free time for unstructured play over recent decades. He states that rigid schooling and heavy academic pressure are the primary sources of stress for teenagers today.
Gray also points to research showing no strong link between social media use and mental health problems across the general population. In some cases, he notes, smartphones help teenagers connect with friends or cope with anxiety. Although both experts agree that children need more freedom to play without adult supervision, they disagree sharply on the impact of technology.
While Haidt's theory remains very influential among parents and lawmakers, Gray warns that banning social media may not fix the core issues. Instead, he recommends reducing school stress and helping children learn to use technology responsibly.