How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions | Dr. Jonathan Haidt

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D., professor
of social psychology at New York University and bestselling author
on how technology and culture impact the psychology and health of
kids, teens, and adults. We discuss the dramatic rise of suicide,
depression, and anxiety as a result of replacing a play-based
childhood with smartphones, social media, and video games. He
explains how a screen-filled childhood leads to challenges in
psychological development that negatively impact learning,
resilience, identity, cooperation, and conflict resolution — all of
which are crucial skills for future adult relationships and career
success. We also discuss how phones and social media impact boys
and girls differently and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms
of how smartphones alter basic brain plasticity and function. 
Dr. Haidt explains his four recommendations for healthier
smartphone use in kids, and we discuss how to restore childhood
independence and play in the current generation.  This is an
important topic for everyone, young or old, parents and teachers,
students and families, to be aware of in order to understand the
potential mental health toll of smartphone use and to apply tools
to foster skill-building and reestablish healthy norms for our
kids. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional
resources, please visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors
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LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr.
Jonathan Haidt 00:02:01 Sponsors: Helix Sleep, AeroPress &
Joovv 00:06:23 Great Rewiring of Childhood: Technology, Smartphones
& Social Media 00:12:48 Mental Health Trends: Boys, Girls &
Smartphones 00:16:26 Smartphone Usage, Play-Based to Phone-Based
Childhood 00:20:40 The Tragedy of Losing Play-Based Childhood
00:28:13 Sponsor: AG1 00:30:02 Girls vs. Boys, Interests &
Trapping Kids 00:37:31 “Effectance,” Systems & Relationships,
Animals 00:41:47 Boys Sexual Development, Dopamine Reinforcement
& Pornography 00:49:19 Boys, Courtship, Chivalry &
Technology; Gen Z Development 00:55:24 Play & Low-Stakes
Mistakes, Video Games & Social Media, Conflict Resolution
00:59:48 Sponsor: LMNT 01:01:23 Social Media, Trolls, Performance
01:06:47 Dynamic Subordination, Hierarchy, Boys 01:10:15 Girls
& Perfectionism, Social Media & Performance 01:14:00
Phone-Based Childhood & Brain Development, Critical Periods
01:21:15 Puberty & Sensitive Periods, Culture & Identity
01:23:55 Brain Development & Puberty; Identity; Social Media,
Learning & Reward 01:33:37 Tool: 4 Recommendations for
Smartphone Use in Kids 01:41:48 Changing Childhood Norms, Policies
& Legislature 01:49:13 Summer Camp, Team Sports, Religion,
Music 01:54:36 Boredom, Addiction & Smartphones; Tool: “Awe
Walks” 02:03:14 Casino Analogy & Ceding Childhood; Social Media
Content 02:09:33 Adult Behavior; Tool: Meals & Phones 02:11:45
Regaining Childhood Independence; Tool: Family Groups & Phones
02:16:09 Screens & Future Optimism, Collective Action, KOSA
Bill 02:24:52 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews,
YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
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