An Important New Study on Phones and Kids - Cal Newport

[I]t’s … now clear that this field is no longer actually divided on the question of whether, generally speaking, smartphones and social media are bad for kids. In this new study, almost every major claim about this idea generated at least majority support, with many being accepted by over 90% of the experts surveyed. There were close to no major claims for which more than a very small percentage of experts felt that there was contradictory evidence.

In social psychology, this might be as clear a conclusion as we’re likely to achieve. Combine these results with the strong self-reports from children and parents decrying these technologies and their negative impacts, and I think there’s no longer an excuse not to act.

Jun 24, 2025 · No comments yet