Candice Odgers, a psychologist with 25 years of adolescent mental health research, challenges the current debate around smartphone restrictions, arguing it obscures larger threats to teen wellbeing.
Odgers contends that policymakers are targeting the wrong problem. Rather than banning social media, she suggests the quickest path to online safety would be removing adult men from the internet—citing them as the primary perpetrators of sextortion and misinformation.
The Canadian researcher's concerns extend beyond technology itself. She argues the debate overlooks significant factors affecting teenagers today, including the psychological aftermath of Covid-19 and the mental health of adult caregivers, which directly impacts young people.
Odgers' perspective challenges the prevailing narrative that social media itself is the root cause of teen mental health crises. Her research suggests a more nuanced approach is needed—one that addresses the specific behaviors and actors that create harm online, rather than broadly restricting access to platforms.
The stance represents a counterpoint to recent legislative pushes worldwide for age restrictions and social media bans targeting minors.
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