Prince Harry also took part in World Mental Health Day on Thursday, October 10th. anxious generation Author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt talks about smartphones, social media, and their impact on the youth population.
In a video he shared with Fortune Well, the Duke of Sussex, 40, began the conversation by saying, “In many cases, smartphones are robbing young people of their childhood.”
Haidt agreed with his observation, saying that people born after 1995 living in English-speaking countries experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide as they reach adolescence, as a direct result of smartphones. said.
But Harry went on to ask about the common misconception that “social media companies are blaming parents” for the growing mental health crisis. Companies cite this and say: “‘Well, this is up to you. This is up to you parenting.'”
But Hite doesn’t buy that argument. “If there are some parents who get this wrong and most parents get it right, I would very much accept that argument,” he says. “But once kids get phones and social media, the rest of family life turns into a fight over screen time. And this is happening everywhere.”
“Technology companies have put us in a corner, and they’re trying to blame us for what they’ve done,” Hite added.
Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images
As the conversation continued, the Duke of Sussex, who is also a father to son Archie, 5, and daughter Lilibet, 3, revealed from an Archewell Foundation insight session that parents should call their children, especially in emergencies. He added that he has learned that he wants to have . school.
Mr. Hite then replied: “Give them a phone. Just don’t give them a supercomputer that connects everyone in the world.”
Harry also suggested that Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are a “lifeline” and a common misconception that social media is giving children “an outlet, an additional resource.” Hite explained that this is a common “myth” and pointed out that the solution for kids to feel more connected is to put down the phone and connect in person.
“I think this study is very clear: If kids have a best friend, or especially if they have a small group.” [of friends]they are generally doing well,” Hite revealed. “If kids don’t have close friends or a close group, they’re much less likely to get along. If you have 300 connections, you don’t have time for anyone.”
AP image via Yomiuri Shimbun
“This year, 2024, is the turning point. Terrible things have happened to our children. We are seeing it now… We don’t want to blame the parents. We are 10 years old. We didn’t know this before,” Hite concluded.
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Their conversation follows the second edition of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation’s Insight Report, which captures “the perspectives of the world’s young people on the evolving role of technology,” according to the foundation’s website. It is. This report worked with young people from Colombia, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey, the UK and the US.
Last month, Prince Harry spoke out about the dangers of children using social media and online content on behalf of the Clinton Foundation.
