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Psychologist Candice Odgers on kids, tech and mental health
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Renowned developmental psychologist Candice Odgers has challenged the prevailing narrative that banning social media for teenagers is the solution to the adolescent mental health crisis. In a recent interview, the University of California, Irvine professor argued such bans are likely to backfire, making things worse for young people. Odgers, who has studied adolescent mental health for 25 years, expressed disappointment over the UK's decision to follow Australia in implementing age restrictions.
Odgers' stance directly counters that of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, whose bestselling book "The Anxious Generation" has sold over 2 million copies across 44 languages. Haidt advocates for keeping children away from social media, claiming it has rewired childhood and fueled mental health decline. In contrast, Odgers gave her own children smartphones at age 11 and allowed her daughter on Snapchat, reflecting her evidence-based approach.
Drawing on her research since 2008, Odgers tracks 10- to 14-year-olds' daily phone activity with consent, analyzing school records, sleep data, and online behavior. She highlights that teenage pregnancies have plummeted, and modern adolescents are better educated and less violent than previous generations. "Teenagers today are amazing," she stated, pushing back against alarmist narratives.
Odgers argues that the focus on social media as the primary driver of mental health issues is misguided. She points to broader factors such as the recession, rising adult mental health problems, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her recent TED Talk, "What we're getting wrong about kids and tech," underscores that "scary stories sell," especially to anxious parents.
While Odgers and Haidt agree that adolescent mental health has deteriorated, they diverge on causes and solutions. Odgers warns that bans may isolate teens from vital support networks and drive harmful behaviors underground. She believes a nuanced approach, including education and platform accountability, is more effective than blanket restrictions.
The debate continues to shape policy globally, with Australia and the UK moving toward bans. Odgers calls for evidence-based decisions, cautioning against well-intentioned but potentially harmful measures. As she puts it, the quickest way to make the internet safer might be to remove adult men, but that's not a realistic policy—underscoring the need for targeted solutions over blanket prohibitions.
