Psychologist Candice Odgers is challenging the global push to ban teenagers from social media. The University of California, Irvine professor argues these restrictions are likely to backfire.
Odgers directly opposes the influential views of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, whose book "The Anxious Generation" argues smartphones and social media have rewired childhood. Haidt has successfully advocated for school smartphone bans and age restrictions.
Odgers, who has studied adolescent mental health for 25 years, believes the focus is misplaced. She points to research showing social media is a minor factor in teen depression, with pre-existing conditions often driving increased usage. Recent data from Australia, which implemented a ban, found over 85% of under-16s still used social media three months later.
She warns bans push teens into less safe, unregulated online spaces and prevent them from reporting harms. Instead of prohibition, Odgers calls for prosecuting online perpetrators and holding tech companies accountable. She advocates investing in better communities and counselors, funded by taxes on tech companies.