Bans on social media and phones: what's the evidence? - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

In this episode of 'What in the World' from the BBC World Service, Hannah Gelbart and BBC journalist Hayley Clark explore the impact of smartphones on mental health, particularly among teenagers. They discuss screen time statistics, social media’s role in young people's lives, and the growing debate over phone bans in schools. Experts offer differing views on whether smartphones are harmful or if other factors, like changing mental health discussions, are at play. The conversation also includes voices from teens themselves, sharing their opinions on phone restrictions and their digital experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Smartphones have become an integral part of daily life, with people feeling anxious if separated from their phones for even short periods.
• 😀 The conversation around the impact of smartphones on children and teenagers is growing, with debates about whether they should be allowed in schools and at what age they should have access to social media.
• 😀 Hannah Gelbart and Hayley Clark discuss their personal screen time, revealing they both spend over 4 hours daily on their phones despite attempts to limit app usage.
• 😀 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that teenagers, especially 11 to 14-year-olds, are spending up to 9 hours a day on screens, with overall screen time consistently rising globally.
• 😀 Some countries are starting to implement or discuss phone bans in schools to reduce distractions and protect students from online bullying, with France and Australia being notable examples.
• 😀 In Australia, there’s a proposed law to ban children under 16 from social media, which has sparked debate on its potential benefits and drawbacks.
• 😀 Researchers are divided on the impact of smartphones on mental health, with some arguing that there’s insufficient data to prove that phones directly harm young people’s mental well-being.
• 😀 Jonathan Haidt’s theory suggests that the rise of smartphones and social media between 2010 and 2015 may be a major factor in the worsening mental health trends in teenagers, especially with increased screen time and decreased face-to-face social interactions.
• 😀 A Norwegian study showed that smartphone bans in schools led to less bullying and better mental health outcomes for teens, particularly for girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
• 😀 Experts argue that banning smartphones may not be the most effective long-term solution, suggesting that developing healthier habits and promoting digital literacy are more crucial for children and young people.
• 😀 There are mixed opinions on how tech companies, like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), should respond to restrictions, with some advocating for more robust age verification and parental controls to safeguard young users.
• 😀 Some teenagers, like Sonia, support phone restrictions in schools but worry about losing access to social media and the information it provides about global issues and personal stories.

Q & A

What is the central topic of the podcast episode?

The episode discusses the impact of smartphones on mental health, particularly focusing on teenagers and their screen time, and explores debates around banning phones in schools and regulating social media usage.

How much screen time does the host, Hannah Gelbart, report spending on her phone daily?

Hannah reports spending around 4 hours and 14 minutes on her phone each day.

What are some of the apps that both hosts, Hannah Gelbart and Hayley Clark, use most frequently?

Both hosts mention using WhatsApp and Instagram most frequently, with additional mentions of apps like eBay, Amazon, and Hinge.

What concerns do both hosts share regarding their phone usage?

The hosts express concerns about their excessive phone usage, feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications, and the difficulty of limiting screen time despite using features like app time limits.

What are the statistics on screen time for adults and teenagers mentioned in the episode?

The episode mentions that adults over 18 are using phones for almost five hours a day. For teenagers aged 11 to 14, the estimated screen time is 9 hours a day, with some teens reporting nearly constant internet usage.

What is the Australian government's stance on smartphone and social media use for children?

The Australian government is proposing to ban children under 16 from social media. They are also trialling age verification technology and considering regulations for tech companies to enforce these restrictions.

What is the 'digital pause' trial in France, and what is its goal?

In France, the 'digital pause' trial involves asking students to hand in their phones at the reception in over 200 schools. The goal is to reduce distractions and encourage students to focus more on their education.

What does Jonathan Haidt argue about the transformation of childhood and its link to smartphone usage?

Jonathan Haidt argues that the widespread adoption of smartphones, particularly after 2010, has significantly transformed childhood. He believes that this shift has hindered social development and contributed to a rise in mental health issues among teenagers.

What were the findings of the Norwegian study on smartphone bans in schools?

The Norwegian study found that smartphone bans in schools led to reduced bullying, improved mental health, and better outcomes, especially for teenage girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

What is Professor Pete Etchells' opinion on smartphone bans for young people?

Professor Pete Etchells argues that there is no solid evidence to support the long-term effectiveness of smartphone bans. He suggests that instead of banning smartphones, more focus should be placed on helping young people develop healthier habits and relationships with digital technology.