Technology is not inherently bad for children’s mental health, but the people who use it might be. When I was completing my Undergrad in 2015, one of my professors asked: “Why is there such an increase in students with mental health issues? Why are they not attending seminars, reading the assigned literature or engaging with university life?” I was confused by his questions. To me, it was so obvious. Nine years later it’s even more obvious. We’re the remnants of a social media experiment gone wrong. We knew too much too soon, revealed too much of ourselves to the world and often got burned in the process. Depression, anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, self-harm, suicide, therapy are common points of discussion among my peers. I’m part of that niche generation which remembers early childhood life being mostly without the internet. And then we were the social media guinea pig teens.With debate in the media surrounding the deaths of young people such as Brianna Ghey and Molly Russell, or Mark Zuckerberg’s Senate ‘apology’, the question remains not as to whether digital providers for children should be held accountable - but how.
The Positives of Technology on mental health
It’s important not to demonise technology itself. Mostly, because it’s very much here to stay and we need to work with it, rather than against it. Before getting too doom and gloom, let’s focus on the countless benefits of tech for kids. Joining fandoms and accessing content on platforms like YouTube and Roblox. Playing awesome games with friends on consoles, tablets, and devices a plenty. Something that saved a good chunk of us during the pandemic. A 2021 Oxford University study reported that people who played games were reported to have better wellbeing. Another study from Ireland said video games can even alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Video games are often used for studies about humanity because they provide a large sample size in a naturalistic environment. The largest study of its kind examined human morality; when given choices, will people choose the perceived moral choice, or the amoral choice? Good or bad, right or wrong? Most of us might estimate these are relatively split. But the results were surprising and found that most people when given a choice won’t condone or commit the ‘bad’ act. Most people are good, whether we trust them or not. Most won’t steal your bag or hack your bank account. A very minute minority will. Very little tech is designed specifically with mal intent. Laws are supposed to be in place to protect us from these people’s actions. Technology itself is not damaging children’s mental health. But the small fraction of people who create improperly or abuse the systems are ruining it for the rest of us. Ours and our children’s mental health included. The course of action which is most logical to me is clear: that adults in positions of power have a responsibility to protect children of today and serve them a better tomorrow. Government intervention, backed by precise and accurate evidence, can create an environment where children can harness the benefits of technology without compromising their holistic growth. Striking this delicate balance is not only a moral imperative but also a crucial step towards nurturing a generation of digitally savvy, resilient, and well-rounded individuals. With both the good and the bad in mind, there is an optimistic hope that technology can be a force for good. But only if we change how they are governed, for good.
