Scrutinizing the effects of digital technology on mental health
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Does time spent using digital technology and social media have an adverse effect on mental health, especially that of adolescents?
In this “Views” piece for Nature, two scientists – Jonathan Haidt (social psychologist and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business) and Nicholas B. Allen (Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon) – discuss the question, and how digital devices might be used to improve well-being.
Haidt argues that there is definitely a connection between social media and mental health problems, while Allen thinks it is appealing to condemn social media out of hand on the basis of the – generally rather poor-quality and inconsistent – evidence suggesting that its use is associated with mental-health problems.