Taiwan
Suggested News Articles:
NYT: "Can A.I. Be Blamed for a Teen’s Suicide?" Fourteen-year-old Sewell Setzer III developed a deep emotional attachment to an A.I. chatbot on Character.AI, which he confided in about his mental health struggles before tragically dying by suicide. His mother is now suing the company, arguing that its unregulated, addictive, and lifelike A.I. technology lacks critical safeguards for vulnerable youth, raising urgent questions about the mental health risks of A.I. companionship apps.
https://www.tieonline.com/article/3821/one-schools-journey-with-phone-free-policies
"One School's Journey With Phone Free Policies" discusses the International School of Panama's (ISP) implementation of Yondr pouches to create a phone-free learning environment, aiming to enhance student mental health and social interactions. The initiative involved comprehensive communication with stakeholders and collaboration across various departments to address logistical challenges and improve school climate.
https://www.afterbabel.com/p/how-to-and-how-not-to-mandate-phone
"How to (and How NOT to) Mandate Phone-Free Schools" provides guidance for legislatures aiming to implement comprehensive, all-day phone-free policies in schools, emphasizing the importance of restricting phone use not just during class but throughout the entire school day to enhance student focus, learning, and interpersonal connections. It highlights the detrimental effects of smartphone usage on students' attention and mental health, advocating for "bell-to-bell" phone-free environments and offering model legislation to support this initiative.
https://apnews.com/article/cellphone-ban-schools-new-york-hochul-6201f1013ac1b217feae9aa21bf8c353
"New York governor proposes banning cellphones in schools starting next fall" reports that Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours, aiming to enhance focus and mental health. The plan, requiring legislative approval, would provide $13.5 million to aid schools in implementation, with exemptions for students needing devices for medical reasons or learning disabilities.
"As a child psychiatrist, I see what smartphones are doing to kids’ mental health – and it’s terrifying," Dr. Emily Sehmer discusses the detrimental effects of smartphone use on children's mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and exposure to harmful online content. She emphasizes the urgent need for parental guidance and governmental intervention to mitigate these risks and support healthier development in young people.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/11/28/australia/australia-passes-social-media-law-intl-hnk
"Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s" reports that Australia's parliament has enacted a law prohibiting individuals under 16 from using social media platforms, aiming to protect children's mental and physical health. Social media companies are required to implement age verification measures within a year or face fines up to 50 million Australian dollars.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has implemented a ban on cellphone and social media use during school hours to enhance student focus and address mental health concerns. This policy aligns with California's broader initiative, under the Phone-Free School Act, requiring all schools to establish similar restrictions by July 1, 2026.
"Apple's Screen Time feature saves parents from being the 'bad guy'" discusses how Apple's Screen Time tool allows parents to monitor and limit their children's device usage by setting app time limits, scheduling downtime, and restricting content. This feature helps parents manage screen time effectively without constant intervention, promoting healthier device habits for their children.
https://www.lbc.co.uk/tech/social-media-ban-kids-children-uk/
"Social media does 'more harm than good' - as majority support stricter rules to protect mental health" discusses a study revealing that over 60% of young people believe social media negatively impacts mental health, with 75% supporting stricter regulations to safeguard youth. Additionally, four out of five young individuals expressed intentions to delay their own children's exposure to social media.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/512576/teens-spend-average-hours-social-media-per-day.aspx
"Teens Spend Average of 4.8 Hours on Social Media Per Day" reports that U.S. teenagers average nearly five hours daily on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. It highlights that older teens and girls tend to exceed this average, and factors such as personality traits and parental restrictions significantly influence the amount of time teens spend on these platforms.
"Kids as Young as 8 Are Using Social Media More Than Ever, Study Finds" A new survey by Common Sense Media shows that screen time among American kids and teens rose sharply during the pandemic, with tweens averaging over five hours and teens nearly nine hours daily—driven by entertainment and social media use, even among children under 13. Experts express concern over the potential impact on mental health, exposure to inappropriate content, and time lost from other beneficial activities, urging parents to set boundaries, monitor use, and engage in open conversations about technology.
1. Social Media Use by Adolescents Linked to Internalizing Behaviors (2019)
John's Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2019/social-media-use-by-adolescents-linked-to-internalizing-behaviors
(中文）Key Findings:
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Adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on social media are significantly more likely to report internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
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The study found no strong link between social media use and externalizing behaviors, like aggression or acting out.
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Social media users who spend less time online (less than 30 minutes a day) were less likely to report these mental health issues.
Methodology:
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The study used data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH), a nationally representative survey of U.S. adolescents aged 13-17, collected between 2013 and 2016.
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Over 6,500 participants were surveyed annually to track time spent on social media and symptoms of mental health issues.
Additional Insights:
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Around 32% of adolescents reported using social media for less than 30 minutes daily, while 8% used it for more than six hours.
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The study emphasized that setting boundaries, fostering media literacy, and improving platform design can help mitigate negative outcomes.
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Social media’s ability to provide peer connection can be positive, but excessive use may displace other critical activities like sleep and physical activity.
Conclusion:
Reducing the time spent on social media may be beneficial for adolescent mental health, especially in minimizing internalizing behaviors.
2. Study: Social Media Use Linked to Decline in Mental Health (2022)
MIT Sloan School of Management
https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/study-social-media-use-linked-to-decline-mental-health
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（中文）Key Findings:
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The study found that the introduction of Facebook at various universities led to a 7% increase in severe depression and a 20% increase in anxiety disorders among college students.
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The researchers observed that prolonged exposure to social media intensifies negative mental health effects, particularly due to social comparison.
Methodology:
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The study utilized the staggered rollout of Facebook across U.S. colleges to analyze its causal impact.
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Data were drawn from 430,000 responses to the National College Health Assessment, which tracks various health metrics, including mental health.
Insights on Mechanisms:
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The study suggests that social comparison—comparing likes, achievements, and appearances—contributes significantly to deteriorating mental health.
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The impact of Facebook on mental health was comparable to about 20% of the negative effect of losing a job.
Broader Implications:
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The findings underscore concerns about how social media can exacerbate mental health issues over time.
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Researchers advocate for better understanding and mitigation strategies, including potential design changes in social media platforms.
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3. Is social media use bad for young people’s mental health? It’s complicated (2023)
Harvard School of Public Health
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(中文）Key Insights:
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Mixed Effects on Mental Health: Social media use can have both positive and negative impacts, depending on individual factors like personality and how the platforms are used.
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Social Comparison: Comparing oneself to others online, especially regarding appearance or popularity (likes, followers), can lead to increased anxiety and depression.
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Positive Social Connections: For some, social media provides crucial support, helping those who feel isolated to connect with others, which can boost mental well-being.
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Research Highlights:
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The time spent on social media isn't the only factor; the quality of engagement (e.g., seeking support versus passive scrolling) matters more.
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Short periods of social media use (around 1-2 hours a day) may actually benefit mental health, while excessive use could be harmful.
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Social media can displace important activities like sleep and physical activity, both of which are crucial for mental health.
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Recommendations:
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Digital Literacy: Teaching youth how to use social media responsibly is essential, including recognizing the effects of social comparison.
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Platform Design: Social media companies should consider redesigning features like "likes" to minimize harm, particularly among vulnerable youth.
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Parental Involvement: Parents are encouraged to engage with their children about social media use and promote offline activities.
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Book Recommendations:
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Glow Kids by Nicholas Kardaras
Reset Your Child’s Brain by Victoria L Dunckley
Finally Heard by Kelly Yang
(中文）The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt explores the alarming rise in mental health issues among Generation Z, particularly since the widespread adoption of smartphones in the early 2010s. Haidt identifies key factors contributing to this crisis, including reduced face-to-face social interaction, sleep deprivation, fragmented attention, and the addictive nature of social media.
He emphasizes that these problems disproportionately affect girls due to intensified social comparison and relational stress, though boys face distinct challenges like disengagement and exposure to adult content online.
Haidt traces the roots of the problem to the decline of unstructured play and overprotective parenting, which have left children less resilient and more vulnerable to the stresses of digital life.
He highlights the surge in self-harm and anxiety, especially among young girls, as evidence of a broader mental health crisis spanning countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
To address these issues, Haidt proposes solutions that involve parents, educators, tech companies, and policymakers. He advocates for reducing screen time, promoting real-world socialization, and implementing protective regulations on social media use for children, emphasizing the need to restore a more balanced and humane childhood experience.
(中文）Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids—and How to Break the Trance by Nicholas Kardaras explores the harmful effects of excessive screen time on children's mental health and development. Kardaras, a psychiatrist specializing in youth addiction, argues that screen addiction can damage developing brains, similar to substance addiction. He links screen exposure to various mental health issues, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, and even psychosis, and suggests that violent video games can desensitize players to violence, blurring the lines between virtual and real aggression
He critiques how modern parenting, influenced by fear and overprotection, limits children's autonomy, exacerbating the problem by using screens as digital babysitters.
(中文) Reset Your Child's Brain by Dr. Victoria L. Dunckley explores the detrimental effects of excessive electronic screen time on children’s mental health and development, introducing a condition she calls Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS). Dr. Dunckley argues that screens overstimulate the nervous system, impair cognitive function, and contribute to emotional dysregulation. These issues can manifest as behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and even ADHD-like symptoms.
The book is divided into three key sections:
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Understanding the Problem: Dr. Dunckley explains the neuroscience behind ESS, emphasizing how screens impact brain development by overstimulating the amygdala (the brain’s emotional center) and suppressing the prefrontal cortex (responsible for executive function and impulse control).
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The Four-Week Reset Program: This core section provides a step-by-step guide for a 4-week “electronic fast.” The goal is to eliminate all recreational screen use to allow the nervous system to recalibrate. Parents are encouraged to replace screen time with healthier activities like physical play, creative endeavors, and family interactions.
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Reintroduction and Maintenance: After the reset, families can decide whether to reintroduce screen time in a controlled manner. Dr. Dunckley offers practical strategies for setting boundaries and ensuring that children develop a balanced relationship with technology.
Dr. Dunckley shares numerous case studies, demonstrating how reducing screen exposure has led to significant improvements in children’s behavior, academic performance, and social skills. Her approach emphasizes parental consistency and collaboration, and she provides tools like checklists and progress charts to support families through the process.
(中文) "Finally Heard" by Kelly Yang is a middle-grade novel that explores themes of growing up, navigating technology, and finding one's place in the world. The story follows ten-year-old Lina Gao, who is drawn into the allure of social media after one of her mother's videos goes viral. As she dives deeper into the world of likes, group chats, and online trends, Lina faces the challenge of distinguishing between the online personas people present and the reality of their lives. She learns important lessons about authenticity, confidence, and the impact of digital life on self-esteem.
With support from her friends and family, Lina embarks on a journey to balance her online presence with her true self. The book offers a nuanced look at the pressures children face in the digital age while maintaining a heartfelt and engaging narrative that middle-grade readers will enjoy.
Kids’ Brains and Screens by Melanie Hempe
Digital Cocaine by Brad Huddleston
Your New Playlist by Jon Acuff
(中文） Kids’ Brains and Screens by Melanie Hempe focuses on the negative effects of excessive screen use on children’s developing brains and offers strategies to help parents mitigate these effects. Hempe, a registered nurse and founder of the nonprofit ScreenStrong, shares insights from her personal experience with her son's video game addiction, which motivated her to explore the science behind screen addiction and its impact on youth.
Key themes in the book include:
The Neuroscience of Screen Addiction: Hempe explains how interactive screens, like video games and social media, overstimulate the brain's reward system by triggering excessive dopamine release. This can impair the development of executive function skills in children and adolescents, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and dependency on screens.
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Practical Strategies for Parents: Hempe advises delaying exposure to "toxic screens" (video games, social media, and smartphones) until after high school. She recommends alternatives like basic mobile phones without internet access and emphasizes the importance of engaging children in creative and physical activities to foster healthier habits.
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Parental Awareness and Education: The book stresses the need for parents to recognize early signs of screen addiction and overcome common myths about screen time. Hempe encourages parents to build supportive communities and to educate their children on the science behind screen addiction to help them make informed choices
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Mental Health Implications: Hempe highlights the link between excessive screen use and the rise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, particularly in teens. She discusses how peer influence on social media can harm self-esteem and identity formation, reinforcing the importance of parental guidance.
(中文）Digital Cocaine by Brad Huddleston explores the psychological and neurological impact of excessive screen use, likening digital addiction to drug dependency. Huddleston highlights how technology overstimulates the brain, particularly in young people whose prefrontal cortex is still developing. He emphasizes the dangers of constant digital engagement, such as reduced impulse control and disrupted sleep patterns.
The book provides strategies for restoring balance, such as enforcing screen-free periods, encouraging physical activity, and promoting face-to-face interaction. Huddleston also discusses how adults need to model healthy digital habits, as they often struggle with the same addictive behaviors they want to correct in children. His approach blends neuroscience with faith-based advice, urging families to reconnect with spiritual and offline activities to mitigate the effects of digital overload.
Huddleston's work underscores the importance of setting boundaries around technology use to promote mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, offering practical steps for families to achieve "iBalance" in a tech-saturated world
(中文) Your New Playlist by Jon Acuff, co-authored with his daughters McRae and L.E. Acuff, is a guide designed to help teenagers manage negative thought patterns by reshaping their internal narratives. The book emphasizes the power of mindset and offers practical tools for replacing harmful “broken soundtracks” (repetitive, self-defeating thoughts) with positive affirmations that can promote growth and resilience.
Key concepts include:
Retire, Replace, Repeat: Identify negative thoughts, replace them with positive ones, and repeat the new affirmations until they become second nature.
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Dial vs. Switch Mentality: Instead of trying to "switch off" negativity, treat it like a dial—reduce its intensity gradually rather than expecting immediate elimination.
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Bravery in Learning: Encourages embracing the discomfort of trying new things and learning from mistakes.
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Fear's Role: Acknowledge fear without letting it control decisions, giving it a voice but not a vote.
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Symbolism and Repetition: Use symbols and constant repetition to reinforce new, healthier mental habits