There is widespread concern about the high rates of mental health difficulties affecting adolescents and emerging adults, but considerable debate in the field about the causes of the alarming rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and suicidality.
Dr. Jonathan Haidt and Dr. Candice Odgers are leading figures in this field but have differing views on what the research really says about the role of social media in supporting or harming youth mental health.
In a discussion moderated by Dr. Bethany Teachman and Dr. Nancy Deutsch (Co-Directors of UVA’s Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment), we interviewed Drs. Haidt and Odgers to understand why they draw different conclusions from the research, learned where they agree and disagree, and considered what research is needed to truly move the field forward and get to the solutions we all seek.