Critique of Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" Questions Scientific Rigor of Social Media Claims
By
Aaron Brown
Summary
This article critiques Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation," arguing that Haidt's claims about social media causing a teen mental health crisis are not supported by strong scientific evidence. It points out that only 22 of the 476 studies cited in the book contain data on both heavy social media use and serious mental health issues among adolescents, and none have data on both. The article suggests Haidt's crusade against social media follows a pattern described by Thomas Sowell of identifying a "great danger" to justify government action, but lacks rigorous scientific backing.
Source
Twitter / XCritique of Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" Questions Scientific Rigor of Social Media Claimsreason.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledOnly 22 of the 476 studies in 'The Anxious Generation' contain data on either heavy social media use or serious mental issues among adolescents, and none have data on both.
Haidt is, in many ways, a model researcher because of his rigor, transparency, and openness to dissent.
First, they identify a 'great danger' to society, followed by an 'urgent need' for government action 'to avert impending catastrophe.'
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