As most adults can attest, adolescence is one of the most challenging periods we experience in life. The transition from child to adult is fraught with issues of identity, change, mastery, discomfort and rapid growth. This critical stage has become even more challenging in the past few years with a swift rise in adolescent anxiety and depression experienced by teens and observed by parents, educators and counselors.
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has compellingly reported this phenomenon in his recent book “The Anxious Generation.” The alarming data quantifies a notable increase in teenage anxiety, frequent school absences, parental concerns and mental health referrals. This phenomenon is not confined to national boundaries but is seen in many societies around the globe.
In his research, Haidt noted that this shift coincides with the advent of three developments that occurred around 2010 and continue today. The first is the release and the adoption of mobile phone technology. Paradoxically, this device offers widespread access to the entire world while fostering social isolation as attention is focused on screens rather than immediate surroundings.
The second shift is the wide availability of the Internet and social media. This technology has enabled constant interaction among users, albeit at a distance, without face-to-face social interaction. The explosion of streaming services has also led to the wide exposure to news about mass shootings, child abductions, false information, pornography, the climate crisis and wars.
The third development is a radical shift in parenting practices. As access to news sources mushroomed, perceived risks have increased in intensity. Parents have sought to create a risk-free childhood where kids are largely shielded from consequences of their behaviors and deprived of opportunities for social learning and interaction.
Brian Jandreau, the Gorham High School principal, confirms this increase in anxiety, depression and mental health referrals. Teachers, counselors, staff and parents are seeing this scenario unfold. Jandreau notes, “We saw this spike in student anxiety and depression with Covid but things are gradually improving as we learn how to respond.”
Jandreau has encouraged his staff to read “The Anxious Generation” so that everyone has the same baseline of information about these concerns. Along with his colleagues from other school districts, Jandreau has instituted some remediation measures. Staff training is used to review strategies and access updated information. The use of smart phones is limited in the school buildings. The availability of mental health services for students has increased, as well as enhanced services for addressing parental concerns.
These dynamics are evolving as we learn more about what is impacting our kids and how to address these important issues. Clearly, technology is not going away. The real challenge is how best to adapt to the new circumstances in a beneficial way.
Haidt suggests the following measures:
Restrict the use of smart phones until age 14. Every child needs time to learn how to reconcile the available technology with their social surroundings.
Limit access to social media before age 16. Teenagers mature quickly and need the skills to evaluate the content delivered via social media. Increase unsupervised play. The young of all species need to grow, experiment and learn how to navigate the world. This maturing process is best achieved by allowing unstructured play with other children.
We live in tumultuous times with massive changes in multiple spheres. We are challenged with incorporating new technologies while protecting against harmful consequences. This is a community issue that can best be addressed by all constituents – parents, children, educators, counselors and the citizenry.