The silent brain drain: How social media alter our children’s minds and what to do about it

MY SONS RECENTLY returned from their sleep away camp, one that does not allow cellphones, ipads or computers. When they were younger, two to four weeks without technology was a nice-to-have. Over the last three years, I believe it has been a huge boost to their overall well-being, a boost that I am watching fade as they return home. I observe them become more twitchy as they get back on social media apps, descend back into the addictive reactions and scrolling that notifications engender. Heading back to their technology-filled lives at school in a few weeks will accelerate this backsliding.

As a long-time educator, researcher and youth advocate, I’ve witnessed firsthand how technology is reshaping young minds as young people struggle to focus, have challenges engaging constructively with peers, and show signs of having hardened opinions on issues, which impedes learning. While multiple factors contribute to these trends, the influence of social media can’t be ignored.

This summer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined New York and Indiana in calling for a ban on smartphones in classrooms. Colorado Springs District 11 has a “no cellphone” policy for the upcoming school year. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has proposed including warning labels on social media.