Opinion
Social Media Is Riskier for Kids Than ‘Screen Time.’
— February 16, 2022

By Jonathan Haidt, Jean Twenge, and Kevin Cummins
By Jonathan Haidt, Jean Twenge, and Kevin Cummins
You are surprised to find that many of the scientific papers these articles are based on use a very broad definition of “sweets” — one that included not only candy and soda but also fresh fruit, carrots, and beets because of their sugar content. But you wonder: What if the research had been based on what your daughter is really after — junk foods with lots of refined sugar, such as candy and soda?
This is where we are with research on digital media use and mental health among teens — a place where the most cited studies are obscuring real risks.
Read the full Washington Post article.
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Jonathan Haidt is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership.