Podcast Summary
The Complex Relationship Between Smartphones and Teen Mental Health: A study from Oxford University found that the effect size of screen time on reduced mental health is similar to eating potatoes, challenging the notion that smartphones are the sole cause of teen mental health issues. However, the rise in teenage anxiety is most pronounced in high-income, English-speaking countries, suggesting other factors may be at play.
While the relationship between smartphones and mental health, particularly among teenagers, is a topic of much debate, it's important to consider that the issue may be more complex than just the phones being the cause. According to the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey, rates of anxiety and sadness among teenagers, particularly girls, have increased significantly in the last decade. Some attribute this to a more anxious world or accommodative parenting, while others point to the colonization of the youth social experience by smartphones and social media. However, a study from Oxford University found that the effect size of screen time on reduced mental health is roughly the same as eating potatoes. While this challenges the notion that smartphones are the sole culprit, it's also important to note that the rise in teenage anxiety is most striking in high-income, English-speaking countries. The Gallup World Happiness Report shows that happiness among young people in North America and Western Europe has fallen sharply since 2006, while happiness has risen sharply in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. This suggests that there may be other factors at play. In today's episode, we explore these complexities with David Wallace Wells, a bestselling science writer and columnist for The New York Times.
The role of smartphones in teen anxiety is complex: Academics argue that changes in mental health measurement and approaches contribute to reported increases in teen anxiety, not just smartphone usage.
While the global phenomenon of smartphone usage does not seem to explain the rise in teenage anxiety uniformly across countries, it's important to note that measuring mental health has changed over the years. The conventional wisdom among some demographics, particularly well-off, well-educated people, points to smartphones as a major contributor to the teen anxiety crisis. However, this perspective is not shared by many academics and scientists who study this issue. They argue that the way we measure and approach mental health has evolved, leading to potential increases in reported cases of depression and anxiety among teens. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the nuances of this complex issue and the various factors contributing to the perceived crisis.
Changes in screening and coding led to increase in reported suicide attempts: New Jersey study reveals surge in suicide attempts was due to annual depression screenings for girls and new coding practices, not actual increase in self-harm.
A study from New Jersey revealed that an apparent surge in suicidal behavior in children was largely due to changes in screening recommendations and coding practices. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, primary care physicians began screening teenage girls for depression annually, leading to a significant increase in identified cases and referrals for treatment. Additionally, a new way of coding hospital admissions required reporting both the injury and whether it was intentional or accidental. Many hospitals did not fill out the second form, resulting in a substantial rise in reported self-harm admissions. In New Jersey, a clarification in coding led to a larger impact on reported suicide attempts. These changes, when accounted for, eliminated the alarming trend lines seen in the data. While it may seem that changes in diagnosis or coding can be evasive explanations, historical precedents such as the 4000-fold increase in bipolar disorder diagnoses among American teens in the 1990s demonstrate their significance. These shifts in how we identify and process mental health issues can have a profound impact on the way we understand and address mental health trends.
Reporting biases and changes in diagnostic standards might explain some mental health trends among teens: Despite reported increases in mental health issues among teens, especially girls, some trends may be due to changes in reporting and diagnostic standards. However, suicide rates, particularly for girls, have alarmingly risen, requiring further investigation into underlying cultural causes.
While there has been an increase in reported mental health issues among teens, particularly girls, it's important to consider reporting biases and changes in diagnostic standards. For instance, the rise in diagnosed bipolar disorder and the use of anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs for pets can be attributed to increased awareness and confidence in diagnoses and treatments, rather than an actual increase in mental health issues. However, there is a concerning trend in suicide rates, which have more than doubled for American girls aged 10-14, and nearly tripled for older teens. Although the percentage increase is larger for girls, the absolute increase in suicides is greater for boys. This gender convergence is concerning, and it may reflect deeper cultural issues that warrant further investigation.
Teen Suicide Rates Rising in English-Speaking Countries: Despite a global increase in mental distress among teens, it's not a universal trend. Cultural and mental health care factors may be contributing to the crisis in English-speaking countries.
While there is a rising suicide rate among teenagers in the US, this trend is not observed in most countries around the world. This suggests that cultural and mental health care factors may play a significant role in the phenomenon, rather than the use of smartphones being the sole cause. The US, UK, and other English-speaking countries seem to be experiencing a unique mental health crisis. This could be due to their cultural similarities and the influence of mental health discourse and care systems established in these countries. It's important to note that while mental distress may be on the rise in these countries, it's not a global trend. Therefore, it's crucial to consider various cultural and societal factors when examining the causes of the teen mental health crisis in English-speaking countries.
Societal and psychological issues in the UK and US: Both the UK and US face societal and psychological challenges, with the UK dealing with economic struggles, political instability, and Brexit aftermath, while the US grapples with a perceived cultural decline and growing acceptance of mental health issues, potentially leading to prevalence inflation and impacting individuals' well-being
There are complex societal and psychological issues at play in both the US and the UK, with each facing unique challenges. In the UK, there's a sense of cultural decline due to economic struggles, political instability, and the aftermath of Brexit. Meanwhile, in the US, there's a shared narrative of cultural decline that feels more detached from reality. Additionally, there's a growing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, which some argue could lead to prevalence inflation – over-identifying and medicalizing normal feelings. This trend raises questions about the potential impact on individuals' mental well-being and the long-term effects of various treatments, particularly psychotropic drugs. Overall, it's crucial to consider the potential benefits and risks of these societal and psychological trends.
The Complexity of Mental Health and Decreasing Effectiveness of CBT: While CBT was once seen as a solution for mental health issues, its effectiveness has decreased due to its expansion. Mental illness is complex, and we need to continue researching and finding better ways to address it.
While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was once hailed as a major breakthrough in mental health treatment, its effectiveness has decreased as it's been expanded to more people. Mental illness is complex, and we don't have a good way to take care of everyone in distress. The growth of therapy culture and the medicalization of unhappiness is generally a good thing, but it's not as simple as writing a script or putting someone in a CBT program to solve mental health issues. There's also a concern that talking about mental illness more could potentially make people more depressed by making it part of their identity. However, this is still a topic of ongoing research. Some argue that this is a moral panic, but others, including the speaker, feel that there's a real connection between excessive phone use and negative mental health effects. Ultimately, we need to continue researching and finding better ways to address mental health issues.
Smartphone Use and Mental Health Distress: Two Debates: Discussions revolve around the correlation between excessive smartphone use and mental health distress in teenagers, and potential policies to address the issue, such as banning phones from schools.
Many people, including the speaker and those who work with young people, have observed negative effects from excessive smartphone use, particularly among teenagers. These effects include mental health distress, addiction, and a sense of being pulled away from the physical world. However, it's important to note that not every teenager who uses a smartphone will experience these negative effects, and the culture as a whole may not be suffering from this phenomenon. Therefore, there are two debates worth having: one about the correlation between smartphone use and mental health distress, and another about potential policies to address the issue. One proposed policy is banning or blocking phones from use in schools. Regardless of the outcome of the first debate, implementing this policy could be a proactive step towards promoting healthier relationships with technology and reducing potential negative effects on young people.
Limiting Phone Use in Classrooms: A Potential Solution for Distractions and Bullying: Restricting phones in classrooms could enhance students' focus, reduce bullying, and potentially improve academic performance.
Limiting the use of phones in classrooms could lead to significant benefits for students' learning and emotional well-being. This idea is based on the fact that distractions, such as video games, hip hop music, and heavy metal, were restricted in classrooms in the past, not because they caused harm, but because they were distracting. The same logic applies to phones today. While it may impose some bureaucratic hassle on schools, ensuring phones are kept out of classrooms could help students focus better on their studies. Additionally, research suggests that reducing phone use in schools can lead to a decrease in bullying. David Wallace Wells, the speaker in the podcast, expresses confidence in this approach, and believes it could potentially lead to better academic performance. The podcast also mentions that the speakers will be taking a break for two weeks and will return to their regular publishing schedule.